Guwahati, April 8: The Election Commission of India has said it is fully prepared to conduct polling for the Assam Legislative Assembly elections 2026 in a free, fair and peaceful manner, with voting across all 126 constituencies scheduled for April 9 in a single phase.
Under the leadership of Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel, the Commission has put in place extensive arrangements, including close monitoring of law and order and election expenditure. Adequate security forces have been deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the polls.
To boost voter turnout, awareness drives have been carried out under the SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) programme across the state. The Commission has also enabled webcasting at all 31,490 polling stations, including 31,486 main stations and four auxiliary booths, allowing real-time monitoring from control rooms at district and state levels.
Security measures include the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces, including CRPF personnel, along with micro observers at sensitive locations. Polling stations have been equipped with basic facilities such as drinking water, seating arrangements, waiting areas and mobile phone deposit counters, along with special provisions for persons with disabilities.
A total of 1,51,132 polling personnel have been mobilised, supported by 4,320 ballot units, 43,975 control units and 43,997 VVPAT machines, with additional staff kept on standby for contingencies.
The state has an electorate of over 2.05 crore voters, including 1.25 crore male voters, 1.25 crore female voters and 318 voters in the transgender category. More than 42 lakh voters fall in the 18–19 age group, while over 2.5 lakh are above 80 years and more than 2 lakh are persons with disabilities.
Under provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, voters aged above 85 years and persons with benchmark disabilities have been given the option to vote from home through postal ballots. So far, 26,032 senior citizens and 8,373 persons with disabilities have opted for this facility.
Goel has appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring that every eligible voter can exercise their franchise in a safe and accessible environment.
