India, April 9 -- Voting began at 7am on Thursday across 126 assembly constituencies under tight security arrangements, with voters queuing outside polling stations ahead of time at many places. Authorities said voters who arrive at the polling station before the voting ends at 5pm will be allowed to vote even after.

Over 25 million voters are eligible to vote for 722 candidates, including 59 women, in the fray. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is contesting the election from Jalukbari, Congress state chief Gaurav Gogoi from Jorhat, All India United Democratic Front leader Badruddin Ajmal from Binnakandi and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi from Sibsagar.

Among the electorate, 6,42,314 are in the age group of 18-19, 2,50,006 are above 80,...