Guwahati: A record 85.64 per cent of Assam’s 2.50 crore electorate cast their votes in Thursday’s assembly elections, with the ruling BJP calling it “historic” and the Congress interpreting it as a call for “change”.

Polling in 126 constituencies ran from 7 am to 5 pm in a single-phase election. The turnout, the highest since 2016 when 84.72 per cent voted, is expected to rise further. In 2021, amid the Covid pandemic, 82.04 per cent had exercised their franchise.

Both the BJP-led NDA and the opposition Congress thanked voters for the massive turnout. The NDA is seeking a third consecutive term, while Congress aims to reclaim a state it lost a decade ago.

Dalgaon recorded the highest voter turnout at 95.83 per cent, while New Guwahati recorded the lowest at 72.10 per cent. Voting began amid heavy rain across 31,490 polling stations in 35 districts, although skies cleared later in the day.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the turnout as “not ordinary but historic”.

“What we set out to do was not merely fight an election, but to turn it into a movement – a movement to protect our civilisational values, our culture, and our land,” Sarma said on X. He added that Assam had risen above language and caste, with voters showing a clear resolve “to protect our land, our identity, and our culture from illegal infiltration and demographic aggression”.

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi thanked voters for participating in unprecedented numbers and urged the Election Commission to ensure “the security of the EVMs and to conduct an accurate vote count on May 4”. He said the people of Assam had voted with hope for a “New Bor-Asom” and fresh leadership.

A total of 722 candidates are in the fray, with Congress fielding 99 and BJP 90. Other participants include AIUDF (30), Asom Gana Parishad (26), Bodoland People’s Front (11), Raijor Dal (13), Assam Jatiya Parishad (10), CPI(M) (3), APHLC (2), AAP (18), UPPL (18), TMC (22), JMM (16), alongside 258 independents.

Heavyweight candidates include Sarma, Gogoi, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi. Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel thanked voters for their “active participation and cooperation”, noting the sustained presence of people at booths even after 5 pm as a sign of public enthusiasm.

This is the first assembly election after the 2023 delimitation exercise redrew the state’s electoral map.

Clashes erupt at multiple polling stations

Around 30 people were injured and seven arrested in election-related violence across Assam on Thursday, officials said.

In Patharkandi constituency, Sribhumi district, Congress candidate Kartik Sena Sinha allegedly entered the Rangamati polling booth and argued with the presiding officer, claiming “fake electors cast genuine people's votes.” When the charge was denied, he broke the EVM. Supporters of both Congress and BJP then clashed.

“In the clash, around 25 people were injured, of whom two are serious. They have been sent to Karimganj Civil Hospital for treatment,” said a senior police officer. Voting was halted for about three hours until a replacement EVM was installed. Sinha left the scene and no arrest had been made at the time.

In Dibrugarh district, three Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) leaders—Samudra Barua, Swakhyar Borgohain, and Chitrakamal Handique—were injured in a clash with BJP supporters at Khowang constituency. Reports suggested a dispute over a house alleged to be an IT cell of the BJP. Senior police officials confirmed that no arrests have been made yet, and investigations are ongoing.

Minor incidents and security measures

Minor clashes over long queues and between party supporters were reported in several districts throughout the day. Police presence ensured immediate control in affected areas.

Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh said violence had occurred in Tamulpur and Sivasagar on Wednesday night, hours before polling began. “Police reached the spot immediately and tried to control the crowd. When they did not listen, a few rounds were fired in the air to disperse the mob,” he said. Four people were arrested at Tamulpur.

In Sivasagar, some political party members were attacked. Three individuals were detained, and investigations are ongoing. Akhil Gogoi, contesting from Sibsagar, alleged BJP nominee Kushal Dowari was behind the attack. He claimed two people were injured and vehicles damaged.

BTC Chief Executive Member Hagrama Mohilary said, “The situation is normal now. We are monitoring it, and there is enough security presence to avoid any untoward incident.”