Guwahati, May 3: All eyes are on Assam as counting of votes for the 2026 Assembly elections is set to begin on Monday, May 4, with the outcome poised to determine whether the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA secures a third consecutive term or the Indian National Congress stages a political comeback in the state.
The counting process for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be conducted at 40 centres across 35 districts under stringent security arrangements. Electronic Voting Machines carrying the electoral fate of 722 candidates will be transported from strongrooms to counting halls under multi-layered security cover.
Election authorities have deployed 25 companies of Central Armed Police Forces to secure counting centres and strongrooms. Additional state police personnel and specialised security units will also be stationed to ensure the process proceeds without disruption.
Polling for the Assembly elections was held on April 9, recording a voter turnout of 85.96 per cent among over 2.5 crore eligible voters, indicating robust public participation.
Of the 722 candidates contesting, 59 are women. The Congress fielded the highest number of candidates at 99, followed by the BJP with 90. Other key political parties in the fray include the All India United Democratic Front, Asom Gana Parishad, Bodoland People’s Front, Raijor Dal and Assam Jatiya Parishad.
Several prominent leaders are in the contest, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi.
The ruling NDA, comprising the BJP along with allies AGP and BPF, is aiming to retain power, while the Congress-led opposition alliance is seeking to alter the political landscape in the state.
The results, expected by Monday evening, are likely to shape Assam’s political trajectory for the next five years.
