Assam Assembly Elections 2026: Polling Underway Across 126 Seats
Voting for the Assam Assembly Elections 2026 commenced at 7 am today, with over 2.5 crore eligible voters set to cast their ballots across 126 constituencies. The electoral exercise, spanning 31,490 polling stations in 35 districts, is a critical democratic event in the state's political landscape.
High-Stakes Bipolar Contest Between BJP and Congress
The election is largely a bipolar contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance and a Congress-led opposition front. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is seeking a third consecutive term for the BJP, aiming to consolidate the party's hold on power. On the other side, the Congress, under the leadership of Gaurav Gogoi, is striving to reclaim governance after a decade out of office.
Regional parties such as the All India United Democratic Front, Raijor Dal, and Assam Jatiya Parishad are expected to play pivotal roles in key constituencies, potentially swaying margins in this closely watched battle.
Voter Demographics and Inclusivity Measures
The electorate of approximately 2.5 crore includes over 1.25 crore women, 6.42 lakh first-time voters, more than 2.5 lakh senior citizens aged above 80, and over 2 lakh persons with disabilities. Special arrangements have been implemented to ensure accessibility, reflecting the inclusive nature of this electoral process. Polling will continue until 5 pm, with results anticipated to shape Assam's political future.
Security and Monitoring Enhancements
Extensive security measures have been deployed to guarantee peaceful polling. Central Armed Police Forces, including CRPF personnel, are stationed in sensitive areas. Webcasting facilities have been enabled at all polling stations for real-time monitoring, with a particular focus on vulnerable booths and regions with a history of electoral tensions.
Key Candidates and Constituencies in Focus
Several high-profile contests are drawing significant attention:
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is contesting from Jalukbari, seeking a sixth consecutive win.
- Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi is making his assembly debut from Jorhat.
- AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is in the fray from Binnakandi.
- Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi is engaged in a triangular fight in Sibsagar.
Other closely watched battles include Nazira, Bokakhat, and Khowang, where senior leaders from multiple parties are competing.
Candidate Landscape and Political Dynamics
A total of 722 candidates are contesting the elections, with the Congress fielding the highest number at 99, followed by the BJP with 90. NDA allies such as the Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People's Front are contesting 26 and 11 seats respectively. The presence of parties like the Aam Aadmi Party and Trinamool Congress ensures multi-cornered contests in several constituencies, adding complexity to the electoral scenario.
