State elections 2026 top developments: BJP eyes third term in Assam, NDA-INDIA face-off in Puducherry and a three-way contest in Kerala

NEW DELHI: Voting began across Kerala, Assam and Puducherry on Thursday, with early turnout figures till 9 am indicating steady participation. According to the Election Commission of India, Kerala recorded 16.23% turnout, Assam 17.87%, and Puducherry 17.41% in the first few hours of polling.The counting of votes will take place on May 4, 2026, when results for all three assemblies will be declared. A total of 140 members will be elected in Kerala, 30 in Puducherry, and 126 in Assam. The electorate comprises 2,69,53,644 voters in Kerala, 9,44,211 in Puducherry, and 2,49,58,139 in Assam.

Here are the top developments from Assam, Kerala and Puducherry:

AssamPrime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters to turn out in large numbers and exercise their franchise. He called on young voters to “enthusiastically participate and transform this election into a festival of democracy and civic duty”.Meanwhile, allegations surfaced from the Opposition regarding an influx of Hindi-speaking voters in lower Assam attempting to vote illegally. Congress candidate from Dispur, Mira Borthakur Goswami, alleged that the BJP could try to secure votes through such means, calling it “vote chori”.PuducherryThe Union Territory recorded an approximate voter turnout of 17.41% till 9 am.Congress leader and former Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy expressed confidence in the INDIA bloc securing a victory in the Union Territory.KeralaKollam district reported a turnout of 16.04% by 10 am, with Eravipuram (16.68%) and Kollam (16.64%) among the leading constituencies. Long queues were seen at polling booths, and officials said voting was proceeding peacefully. Favourable weather conditions are expected to support higher turnout through the day.KPCC president and UDF candidate from Peravur, Sunny Joseph, cast his vote at Kadathumkadav in the morning. He predicted a sweeping victory for the UDF with over 100 seats and expressed confidence in securing a fourth consecutive win in Peravur, dismissing opinion polls that projected his defeat.