Assam Assembly poll results: 40 counting centres set up, 25 CRPF companies guard EVM strong rooms

Ahead of the declaration of results for the Assam Legislative Assembly Elections 2026 on May 4, Anurag Goyal said the State Election Commission has completed all preparations for the counting process across the state.

Addressing the media, Goyal stated that counting of votes will begin at 8:00 am on May 4 at 40 counting centres spread across 35 counting districts. He said Kokrajhar, Tinsukia and Jorhat will each have two counting centres, while Nagaon will have three.

According to the Chief Electoral Officer, the state recorded its highest voter turnout among the last five Assembly elections. The districts registering the highest polling percentages were Barpeta, Dhubri, Goalpara, Bongaigaon and South Salmara.

The voter turnout figures for the previous five Assembly elections were listed as 75.16 per cent in 2001, 75.72 per cent in 2006, 76.05 per cent in 2011, 84.64 per cent in 2016 and 82.02 per cent in 2021.

Goyal also noted that the three constituencies with the lowest voter turnout were located in Guwahati.

On security arrangements, he said Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been kept under strict surveillance in strong rooms across districts. The strong rooms are secured under CCTV monitoring and are being guarded by 25 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force. Candidates’ agents are also present at EVM storage facilities to monitor activities.

For the counting process, 126 observers — one IAS officer for each constituency — have been appointed. Each counting table will have a designated counting supervisor. A total of 5,981 counting officials and 2,348 micro-observers will be deployed during the exercise.

Goyal said recounting would be conducted only in cases where the margin of victory or defeat is extremely narrow. In such situations, postal ballots will be personally verified by the Returning Officer.

The CEO further said that victory rallies following the results must strictly adhere to law and order guidelines issued by authorities.

Highlighting voter participation trends, Goyal stated that around 7.3 million Gen Z voters in the 18–29 age group participated in the elections. He also said 15 polling stations were specially managed by persons with disabilities as part of inclusive election measures.