The turnouts in the Assembly polls in Assam (85.63%), Kerala (78.2%) and the Union Territory of Puducherry (an incredible 88.87%) have conclusively proved that the Indian voter still reposes considerable faith in the electoral process and is determined to make their vote count. Although the Election Commission has carried out the Modi government’s mandate of undertaking a systematic disenfranchisement campaign, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and has deprived crores of Indians the right to vote guaranteed under the Indian Constitution, those who survived the onslaught are keen on voting and this is a sign that the Indian democracy is still alive and kicking.C.V. Aravind BengaluruPublished - April 11, 2026 12:20 am IST