70% polling in final phase Assam polls

Nearly 70 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the final phase of the two-leg assembly polls in Assam for 64 constituencies on Monday amidst reports of sporadic clashes between voters and security personnel.

The polling, which began at 7 am, was brisk as good weather ensured a high voter turnout.

The final polling percentage is likely to go up further after complete data is compiled.

Clashes between security personnel and voters were reported from Mazbat, Rangiya and Dhubri.

While the situation at Mazbat and Dhubri were brought under control fast, the situation deteriorated in Rangiya where people damaged official vehicles, forcing the security personnel to baton charge them.

Polling for the 126 seat Assembly was held in two phases. The first phase was held on April 4 for 62 constituencies.

The ruling Congress is aiming to complete its hat-trick at the power seat in Dispur, while the principal Opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which had served two terms at Dispur, is seeking to reverse its poll fortunes.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), though left with just six MLAs in the outgoing House after four were expelled for cross-voting, wishes to capture more seats and have a stake at the government formation.

The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), which won 10 seats in last Assembly elections, is another major player.

The Left parties and smaller regional parties, including ruling alliance partner Bodoland People?s Front (BPF) are key factors, who want to improve their electoral success as well as hunt prospective allies for government formation.

The fate of 496 candidates was decided by 96,78,720 voters in the second phase, while the fate of 485 candidates was sealed in the first phase.

Among the second phase candidates, there are 47 female, 47 Scheduled Caste (SC) and 72 Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates.

The first phase had featured 38 female candidates and 32 and 65 candidates belonging to SC and ST communities respectively.

For the second phase, 12,589 polling stations were set up, of which 2033 were identified as hyper-sensitive and 4175 as sensitive.

As many as 11,264 polling stations were set up for first phase, of which 2094 were marked as hyper-sensitive and 2985 as sensitive.

Counting of votes will be done on May 13.