Voting began at 7 a.m. on Thursday in 126 electoral districts under tight security arrangements, as voters lined up outside polling stations before the scheduled time in many places. Authorities said that voters who arrive at the polling station before voting ends at 5 p.m. will be allowed to vote even after voting ends.
More than 25 million voters are entitled to vote for 722 candidates, including 59 women, in the electoral battle. Prime Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is contesting the election from Jalukbari, Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi from Jorhat, All India United Democratic Front leader Badruddin Ajmal from Binakandi, and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi from Sibsagar.
Among the voters, 6,42,314 are in the age group of 18-19 years, 2,50,006 are above 80 years, and 2,05,085 are persons with disabilities. As many as 26,032 people over the age of 85 and 8,373 people with disabilities voted through postal ballot.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the people of Assam to vote in large numbers. He said on the X program: “I hope that young voters in the state will participate enthusiastically and make these elections a celebration of democracy and public duty.”
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that every vote and every vote matters in building a better Assam and urged voting in large numbers to strengthen democracy and take Assam to new heights.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the change is evident in Assam. “In the past 10 years, Assam’s unity has been deliberately weakened; its social fabric has been strained, its resources exploited, and false narratives spread for political gain.”
He added that it is time for the people of Assam to come together and defeat the politics of division, exclusion and indifference with the power of their votes. “Choose the path of unity, prosperity and true development. Your vote can restore Assam’s pride and future. I especially urge first-time voters to come out and vote for harmony and progress.”
Webcasting was enabled at all 31,490 polling stations. Central Armed Police forces were deployed to ensure security at polling stations. Junior observers will supervise voting at sensitive stations. A total of 1,51,132 polling personnel were deployed.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, which has been in power since 2016, is seeking to win a third consecutive term. The Congress Party hopes to return to power in alliance with five parties. The Bharatiya Janata Party is competing for 90 seats. Its allies, Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Party, fielded 11 and 26 candidates. Congress is competing for 99 seats.
