Assam witnessed heavy turnout in the first phase of pollling. The contest was between the ruling BJP, its alliance partner the Asom Gana Parishad, opposition Congress and the newly formed Assam Jatiya Parishad in the first of a three-phased Assembly elections.
In the fray for the 47 constituencies which went to polls on Saturday, are some 264 candidates, including 23 women, amid strict security and COVID protocols.
Here are the updates:
According to the State CEO, voter turnout has reached 72.1%.
Voter turnout as on 3 p.m. stands at 62.09%, according to the Office of the CEO.
Turnout as on 1 p.m. is 45.20% in 47 Assembly seats.
- PTI
CM Sonowal votes in Dibrugarh
While the polling so far has been peaceful, some complaints of EVM glitches were lodged, an Election Commission official said.
Long queues were seen outside polling booths with voters and election officials adhering to COVID-19 protocols.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal exercised his franchise around 11 a.m. at Sahitya Sabha Bhavan, a model polling station, in his home town Dibrugarh in upper Assam.
"The BJP and its alliance partners will win again and return to power in Assam. People have seen the performance of our government in the last five years," he said after casting his vote.
The Chief Minister then left for his constituency Majuli where polling is underway.
- PTI
25.88% voter turnout in Assam so far.
Turnout in Assam so far is 10.21%, according to the Election Commission's voter turnout app.
9.47% turnout
An estimated 9.47% of the total 81.09 lakh electors exercised their franchise till 9 a.m. in 47 constituencies of Assam where polling is underway with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols in the first phase of elections.
While the polling so far has been peaceful, some complaints of EVM glitches were lodged, an Election Commission official said.
Long queues were seen outside polling booths with voters and election officials adhering to COVID-19 protocols.
First voters in many polling stations were greeted with saplings.
- PTI
Demographics of the constituencies voting today
Tea plantation workers are the deciding factor
Phase 1 of elections today to the 126-member Assam Assembly is expected to test the impact of the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act movement and the loyalty of “tea tribes” or Adivasi voters.
Political commentators say the tea plantation workers and migrant Muslims have traditionally voted en bloc. The Congress was said to be the beneficiary of both “vote banks” until the BJP enticed the plantation workers in 2016 while the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) ate into the Muslim votes.
The Congress and AIUDF are allies this time but Muslims are a deciding factor in only five of the 47 seats in the first phase across eastern and part of central Assam.
Will anti-CAA stir prove storm in a teacup? Read complete analysis here .
Also read:
'Vote in record numbers'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 27 urged people to cast votes in record numbers as polling began in the morning for the first phase of Assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam.“The first phase of elections begin in Assam. Urging those eligible to vote in record numbers. I particularly call upon my young friends to vote.
“Today, Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections begin. I would request all those who are voters in the seats polling today to exercise their franchise in record numbers,” he tweeted.
The BJP hopes to retain power in Assam and defeat the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.
Three-way contest
The ruling BJP is contesting 39 seats and its partner AGP 10. The two allies are engaged in "friendly contests" in Lakhimpur and Naharkatiya constituencies.
The Opposition grand alliance is contesting all the seats, with the Congress putting up candidates in 43, and the AIUDF, CPI(ML-L), RJD and Anchalik Gana Morcha (contesting as Independent) in one each.
The newly-formed AJP is in the fray in 41 seats, while there are 78 Independents, including 19 candidates of the newly-formed Raijor Dal.
- PTI
Most voters seen wearing masks
A significant turnout was seen at several booths as the poll began with many choosing to vote early.
Special measures were taken for People with Disabilities (PwD), including the provision of wheelchairs at every polling station and e-rickshaws for their commute.
Most voters were seen wearing masks amid amid a spike in the number of cases. Those arriving without masks are being provided one at the booths.
Polling will continue till 6 p.m.
Strict vigil
A total of 300 companies of security forces have been deployed in the first phase, in which people are voting at 11,537 polling stations across 12 districts of Upper Assam and the Northern Bank of Brahmaputra.
Patrolling has been intensified and strict vigil is being kept in all the vulnerable areas, officials said.
- PTI
Polling starts in Phase one Assembly polls in Assam
Polling begins.
The first phase in Assam will decide the electoral fate of several high profile candidates including Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal from Majuli, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ripun Bora from Gohpur, Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami from Jorhat and Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, from Nazira.
