New Delhi, April 9 -- Voters across Assam, Keralam, and Puducherry turned out in massive numbers on Thursday for high-stakes assembly elections.

According to the Election Commission's data at 5 PM, the participation rate of Puducherry leads with 86.92 per cent, followed closely by Assam at 84.42 per cent, and Keralam at 75.01 per cent.

Key leaders, including Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Keralam CM Pinarayi Vijayan, were among the early voters. Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangaswamy also cast his vote, maintaining his long-standing tradition of riding his motorcycle to the polling booth.

Voting is being held for 126 seats in Assam, 140 in Keralam, and 30 in Puducherry. Votes will be counted on May 4.

In Keralam, over 2.6 crore elec...