Daijiworld Media Network - Jalukbari
Jalukbari, Apr 9: As voting for the Assam Assembly elections got underway on Thursday, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed strong confidence that citizens would turn out in large numbers to support the state’s continued development.
Speaking during the polling process, Sarma noted that favorable weather conditions were likely to encourage higher participation, adding that the electorate remains committed to progress and growth.
Echoing similar optimism, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that people in Assam are hopeful about the future, especially under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasized expectations of accelerated development and overall advancement in the coming term.
According to the Election Commission of India, voter turnout reached 38.92% by 11 a.m., reflecting steady participation in the early hours of polling.
The state is witnessing a high-stakes electoral contest across all 126 Assembly constituencies, with the main battle shaping up between the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress-led opposition bloc. The ruling BJP, under Sarma’s leadership, is aiming for a third consecutive term, while the Congress seeks to regain power after its 2016 defeat.
A total of 722 candidates are contesting the elections, including key figures such as Gaurav Gogoi, Debabrata Saikia, Badruddin Ajmal, Akhil Gogoi, and Lurinjyoti Gogoi. Voting is being conducted at 31,490 polling stations spread across 35 districts.
The electorate includes approximately 2.5 crore voters, with nearly half being women, along with 318 registered voters from the third gender category.
Among political parties, the Congress has fielded the highest number of candidates at 99, followed by the BJP with 90. Other parties in the fray include the AIUDF (30 seats), Asom Gana Parishad (26), Bodoland People’s Front (11), Raijor Dal (13), Assam Jatiya Parishad (10), CPI(M) (3), APHLC (2), AAP (18), UPPL (18), Trinamool Congress (22), and JMM (16), along with 258 Independent candidates.
Certain constituencies, such as Algapur-Katlicherra and Karimganj South, are witnessing the most crowded contests with 15 candidates each, while nine constituencies—including Rangia and Doomdooma—are seeing direct two-candidate contests.
Out of all candidates, 59 are women, with the Congress fielding the highest number, followed by the BJP.
The counting of votes is scheduled to take place on May 4.