The first ever Silchar Municipal Corporation elections have delivered a decisive mandate for the BJP led NDA. Conducted entirely using traditional ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines, the election saw the ruling alliance secure 34 out of 42 wards. The results serve as a significant political indicator, especially considering the ongoing national debate over voting methods.
Seat Breakdown and Polling Details
Out of the 42 available wards, the BJP won 32 seats directly, while its alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad secured two seats. Two BJP candidates were elected unopposed from Ward 9 and Ward 20 before the voting day on 3 October 2026. The Congress party managed to win only two seats. Interestingly, independent candidates performed better than the primary opposition, securing six wards across the city.
Polling saw a robust voter turnout of approximately 70.22 percent, with counting concluded on 6 October. A total of 133 candidates were in the fray, with BJP and Congress fielding candidates in 38 wards each, AGP in four wards, alongside 52 independents and one CPIM candidate.
The Ballot Paper Factor
For years, the Congress party has consistently raised doubts regarding the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines, demanding a return to traditional ballot papers. The Silchar civic polls provided exactly that scenario, as the entire election was conducted using physical ballot papers.
Following the announcement of the results, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted this point, stating that the Congress performs even worse when elections are held on ballot papers. Despite their long standing demands for paper ballots, the opposition party failed to secure substantial public support in a major urban centre in Assam.
Narrow Victories for Congress
Even the two victories secured by Congress were extremely tight contests. One candidate won by a margin of roughly 136 votes, while the second seat was claimed by a razor thin margin of just 49 votes. Given the closeness of these races, the BJP has officially requested a recounting process for both wards. With independents capturing six seats, the complete restriction of Congress to just two wards highlights a substantial shift in local voter preference.
Context of the Civic Polls
The Silchar Municipal Board was upgraded to a 42 ward Municipal Corporation in 2022 and officially became operational in June 2025. This election marked the first time residents voted for the newly formed civic body. The overwhelming majority achieved by the ruling alliance reflects strong local support and demonstrates that electoral outcomes in the region remained consistent regardless of the voting method utilized.