Assam Elections Witness High Voter Turnout Despite Weather Challenges
Polling Day Overview
People wait in queues before casting their votes at a polling station in Guwahati. (Photo:PTI)
Guwahati, April 9: The skies over Assam were grey and filled with rain as polling took place on April 9, yet the weather did not deter voters from coming out in significant numbers to influence the state's political landscape.
Although voting officially ended at 5 pm, many polling stations continued to see long lines well into the evening, showcasing the voters' enthusiasm.
By 7 pm, the Election Commission of India reported an impressive turnout of 85.13%, exceeding the 82.04% from the 2021 Assembly elections, indicating a surge in public engagement in this closely monitored election.
Particularly high participation was noted in several constituencies, especially in lower Assam and central districts.
Leading the turnout were Dalgaon (94.57%), Jaleshwar (94.31%), Srijangram (94.33%), Mankachar (94.08%), and Golakganj (93.42%), reflecting strong voter interest.
Following closely were Laharighat (93.44%), Chenga (93.38%), and Goalpara East (92.79%), suggesting a widespread trend of high turnout across various regions.
The highest voter participation was primarily observed in:
- Dhubri and Goalpara region (Golakganj, Jaleshwar, Mankachar, Goalpara East)
- Barpeta belt (Chenga, Pakabetbari, Mandia)
- Darrang–Morigaon stretch (Dalgaon, Laharighat)
These areas consistently surpassed the 90% turnout mark, forming a significant cluster of high participation in this election phase.
Guwahati Constituencies Show Lower Turnout
In contrast, the Guwahati region saw lower voter turnout rates:
- Dimoria: 80.52%
- Dispur: 73.98%
- Guwahati Central: 75.23%
- Jalukbari: 80.83%
- New Guwahati: 71.27%
This trend of subdued urban voting compared to rural areas continues, highlighting a persistent pattern of lower participation in metropolitan constituencies.
The overall data reveals a distinct rural-urban divide, with rural and riverine constituencies significantly contributing to the high polling percentages, while urban segments in Guwahati lagged behind.
Voter Participation Trends
Earlier in the day, voter participation steadily increased, reaching 59.63% by 1 pm, as long queues remained at polling stations despite intermittent rain in various districts.
Voters expressed that development, governance, and employment were their primary concerns, with many emphasizing the importance of voting as a civic duty.
Several polling centers created a festive atmosphere, featuring decorations, selfie spots, and special provisions for elderly and differently-abled voters, including wheelchair assistance.
Minor Incidents Reported
The polling process in Assam was largely peaceful, with only a few isolated incidents of violence and technical issues with electronic voting machines (EVMs), which officials managed promptly.
A tragic event occurred in Sonitpur’s Naduar constituency, where a polling official passed away while on duty, and a clash among political workers in Golaghat was quickly controlled by security forces.
Authorities reported that nine individuals were detained in connection with election-related violence in three locations: Tamulpur, Sivasagar, and Golaghat, by 1 pm.
Officials maintained that these incidents had minimal effect on the overall voting process.
A Major Electoral Event
Prominent leaders and candidates participated in the voting process across the state, with visible enthusiasm in districts like Hailakandi, Chirang, Biswanath, and Kokrajhar, where early queues formed.
From a mere 17.93% turnout at 9 am, voter participation gained momentum throughout the day across all 126 constituencies, involving over 2.49 crore voters and 722 candidates.
Initial trends suggested a smooth and orderly voting process, with expectations of increased turnout as the day progressed.