The Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements for the first phase of the Assembly elections in Assam scheduled for Monday, even as insurgents attacked a CRPF convoy in Karbi-Anglong district on Saturday killing four personnel and injuring three.
Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi told The Hindu here on Saturday that all the arrangements, including deployment of polling and security personnel and materials, were in place. Polling would be held in 62 of the 126 constituencies from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mr. Quraishi said the Commission was saddened by reports of the ambush of a CRPF convoy on Saturday. The devotion to duty of the CRPF personnel, who were caught in the attack, was well-known, he said and conveyed the Commission's condolences to the bereaved family members and wished speedy recovery of the injured.
The convoy, consisting of three vehicles carrying 18 CRPF personnel in Arlangso and Deothar villages, was attacked by a group of Karbi People's Liberation Tiger (KPLT) insurgents.
In the first phase, 85.09 lakh voters, including 41.17 lakh women, are eligible to vote through 11,264 polling stations. A total of 485 candidates, including 38 women, are in fray. Karimganj South constituency has the highest of 25 candidates. The Boithalangso (ST) segment has the lowest number of three candidates.
The Asom Gana Parishad has fielded the highest number of 51 candidates followed by BJP and Congress — 62 each, the CPI — 10 and the CPI (M) — 8.
