Assam: 70% voting in final phase

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The second and final phase of polling ended in Assam on Monday with more than 70 per cent electorate coming out to exercise their franchise.

Disclosing that about 70.35 per cent electorates exercised their franchise, Chief Electoral Officer Hemanta Nazary said there were reports of poll related scuffle from some areas but by and large it was peaceful.

However, Mr Narzary said, “The final polling percentage could be higher as we are still compiling figures from remote locations.”

In the second and final phase of polling, the fate of 496 candidates was sealed by EVM machines, which would be opened on May 13 for counting of votes.

Voting was held in 64 of the 126 constituencies spread across 14 districts in 11,589 polling stations.
Polling for 62 Assembly seats was held in the first phase which took place on April 4 and recorded a high voter turnout of nearly 74 per cent. Both the ruling alliance and Opposition are confident of winning the ensuing elections and forming the next government.

“We are confident of coming back to power for the third straight term as people voted us for good governance, stability, and peace,” said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

The Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahnata said, “The people of Assam have voted for a change and this is why we are confident of winning the polls.”

Assam’s most high profile voter, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on Monday failed to exercise his right to vote.

Returning officer in-charge of issuing ballot paper in Kamrup, Nareshwar Upadhyay, said the PM failed to submit a request form to vote via ballot within the stipulated time.