Over sixty thousand jawans of central paramilitary forces have been deployed for trouble free polls. Polling will be held in 64 constituencies spread over 14 districts in lower Assam area including the Bodo belt, from 7 am to 3 PM. Over twelve thousand five hundred polling stations have been set up for the polls.
The constituencies are located in 14 districts of Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, Barpeta, Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup (Rural), Nalbari, Baksa, Chirang, Udalguri, Darrang, Morigaon and Nagaon.
An electorate of 96,77,113, comprising 50,09,083 men and 46,68,030 women will decide the fate of 596 candidates — 449 men and 47 women.
Of 12,589 polling stations, 2033 have been identified as hyper-sensitive, 4175 as sensitive and 475 as vulnerable, election commission sources said.
Chief Electoral Officer Hemanta Narzary said that the Election Commission cannot be complacent under any circumstances during the concluding phase of elections in the state. Our correspondent reports, the Election Commission is more concerned about polls in Bodoland Territorial Council Districts bordering Bhutan.
Most of the polling parties have already reached their destinations. They are being directed to be always accompanied by security personnel to meet any situation. Over fifty per cent of the total twelve thousand five hundred eighty nine polling booths have been declared as sensitive, hyper-sensitive and vulnerable. A strict vigil is being maintained along the borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh to check infiltration of anti-social elements. Patrolling has been intensified in sensitive areas to instill confidence among the electorates. A massive manhunt has already been launched at the possible hideouts of the banned militants. Meanwhile, the Election authorities are distributing voters’ slips among electorates to enable them to exercise their right to franchise without any difficulties.
Over 96 lakh voters will decide the electoral fortune of 496 candidates including 47 women. Prominent candidates whose political fate will be decided include two former Chief ministers- Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Bhumidhar Barman besides the President of main opposition party the Asom Gana Parishad, Chandra Mohan Patowary. Incumbent Chief Minister and Senior Congress leader Tarun Gogoi has clearly stated that the party would not enter into a post-poll alliance with Badaruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF willingly to form the next Government in the state. Mr. Gogoi categorically stated that the poll pact with the Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) will continue. On the other hand, Assam BJP in-charge Vijay Goel claimed that the anti- incumbency factor would help the saffron party to get more seats.