In Photos: The many faces of voting across Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

From long queues to first-time voters, images from five states capture robust turnout, tight security and officials at work, reflecting the breadth and diversity of the democratic exercise.

A boy at his mother's inked finger after she cast her vote at St Vincent LP School, Palliyakkal, Chathanad in Kochi. Photo |TP Sooraj, EPS

Yousaf, a young booth agent, carries Hamsa, a 75-year-old voter, after casting his vote at the polling station at Govt. UPS, Beemapally in Thiruvananthapuram on polling day.

A woman casts her vote with her baby, while a Haritha Keralam member waits outside with the child at Nadapuram GUPS polling booth.

Bindu and Rajan, a tribal couple from Vilangad, after casting their vote at the Paloor polling booth on Thursday.

Under the leadership of the Election Commission of India, 13 delegates from various countries arrived at Amaravathi GGHS School in Fort Kochi to study the democratic voting process. Assistant Collector Parvathy Gopakumar is also seen.

Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy came to the polling booth on his RX 100 bike to cast his vote in the Puducherry Assembly elections on Thursday.

Nila, a robot, welcomed voters arriving at the Puducherry V.O.C. polling station by presenting them with roses.

People cast their votes for the Puducherry Assembly elections, at a polling booth at Puducherry on Thursday.

A newly married couple, still in their wedding attire and wearing flower garlands, pose after casting their votes at a polling booth in Pettai, Tirunelveli, during the Assembly election.

Volunteers helping seniour citizens havinga light moment with the seniour voters .

Kani tribal women cast their votes at a polling booth in Karaiyar, Tirunelveli district, during the Assembly election on Thursday, marking active participation from remote tribal communities.

A physically challenged voters arrive with their pet to cast Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College, Vyasarpadi, in Chennai on Thursday.

Security personnel conduct a route march during the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election, in Nandigram, Purba Medinipur district, Thursday, April 23, 2026

A voter shows her ink-marked finger after casting vote during the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election, in Nandigram, Purba Medinipur district, Thursday, April 23, 2026.

BJP candidate from Asansol South Assembly constituency Agnimitra Paul's car vandalised, at the Rahmatnagar area of Burnpur, in West Burdwan on Thursday.

Voters show their ink-marked fingers after casting their votes during the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, in Darjeeling on Thursday.

Voters take a boat to their respective polling stations during the Assam Assembly Elections 2026 from the banks of Brahmaputra River in Darrang on Thursday.

Voters show their voter IDs as they cast their votes at the polling station during the Assam Assembly Elections 2026 in Guwahati on Thursday.

Voters queue up as they wait to cast their votes amid rain at the polling station during the Assam Assembly Elections 2026 in Guwahati on Thursday.

Nuns of Missionaries arrive to cast their vote at a polling booth during the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) during the second phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, in Kolkata on Wednesday.