Counting of votes for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections began at 8:00 am today amid tight security. Initial trends for the state’s 126 assembly seats show the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) taking the lead. According to the latest data, the BJP and its allies, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, are leading in 36 seats, while the Congress-led Asom Sanmilito Morcha (ASM) is currently leading in 15 seats. Although these are early postal ballot trends, they signal the return of the “double-engine” government in the state. Supporters have already begun celebrating with drums and trumpets outside the BJP office in Guwahati.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken a lead of over 5,000 votes over his nearest rival in the initial rounds from the politically crucial Jalukbari seat. Meanwhile, Gaurav Gogoi, son of veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who is contesting from the Jorhat seat, is currently trailing, which has become a matter of concern for the Congress camp. BJP allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) are also seen performing well in the Bodoland and Upper Assam areas. Initial trends show the AIUDF (AIUDF), the party of Badruddin Ajmal, considered the ‘kingmaker’, giving a tough fight in some seats.
According to the Election Commission, the process is proceeding smoothly at the 40 counting centers set up across all 35 districts of the state. A large number of security forces have been deployed outside the counting centers to prevent any untoward incidents. Analysts believe that if this trend continues until noon, the BJP will achieve a historic hat-trick in Assam for the third consecutive time. Gaurav Gogoi, representing the Congress, has claimed that the equations will change as soon as the EVM rounds begin and the public mandate will be in their favor. Currently, all of Assam is glued to TV screens and the Election Commission’s website, as the picture of the state’s next government will become clear in the next few hours.
