The 2026 Assam Legislative Assembly election was the 16th quinquennial legislative assembly election held in the Indian state of Assam on April 9 to elect 126 MLAs to the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly. The votes were counted and the result declared on Monday, 4 May. The election results were a landslide victory for the NDA and recorded the lowest tally of seats ever won by the INC in the state.
Background
The tenure of the Assam Legislative Assembly was scheduled to end on 20 May 2026. The previous assembly elections were held in March–April 2021. After the election, the incumbent National Democratic Alliance formed the state government again after winning 75 out of 126 seats in the assembly, with Himanta Biswa Sarma becoming Chief Minister.
In August 2021, the Indian National Congress ended its alliance with the All India United Democratic Front and the Bodoland People's Front, effectively ending the opposition bloc 'Mahajot'.
Schedule
The Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the election on 15 March 2026.
Voter statistics
According to the Election Commission of India, 2,49,58,139 voters were eligible to vote in the assembly elections in Assam. This includes 1,24,82,213 male, 1,24,75,583 female, and 343 third gender voters.
Parties and alliances
National Democratic Alliance
The BJP did not enter into seat sharing talks with the UPPL and finalised the seat sharing in the Bodoland Territorial Region with the BPF. On 17 March 2026, UPPL left the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over seat-sharing disputes. The NDA's seat sharing was finalised on 17 March 2026.
Asom Sonmilito Morcha
In November 2025, the Asom Sonmilito Morcha was revived when 8 political parties led by the Congress formed an alliance against the BJP and its allies.
Candidates
The BJP released the first list of 88 candidates on 19 March 2026, and the second list of 2 candidates on 21 March 2026. The AGP released its list of 26 candidates on 19 March 2026. The BPF released its list of 11 candidates on 19 March 2026.
The Congress released the first list of 42 candidates on 3 March 2026. the second list of 23 candidates on 14 March 2026; the third list of 22 candidates on 19 March 2026; the fourth list of 7 candidates on 20 March 2026; and the fifth list of 7 candidates on 22 March 2026. The CPI(M) released its first list of 2 candidates on 16 March 2026. APHLC released the first list of 2 candidates on 16 March 2026. AJP released the first list of 8 candidates on 17 March 2026; the second list of 2 candidates on 19 March 2026. Raijor Dal released the updated list of 13 candidates on 22 March 2026.
Voting
According to the Election Commission of India, voting turnout was 84.8% for male voters, 85.96% for female voters, and 36.84% for third gender voters. The total voter turnout was 85.38%.