Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates: At 5.30 pm, the EC voter turnout app showed that the state had recorded 72.70 percent voter turnout. The Nalbari district recorded the highest turnout at 81.53 percent. Among Assembly constituencies, Dalgaon recorded the highest polling percentage at 81.70 percent. The EC issued a show cause notice to Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma for allegedly making threatening remarks against Opposition leader Hagrama Mohilary of the Bodoland People’s Front. He has been asked to respond to the notice by 5 pm on 2 April. The Congress had approached the EC alleging that Sarma had threatened to send Mohilary to jail by misusing the NIA. The Bodoland People’s Front is an ally of the Congress in Assam. The notice to Sarma cited various provisions of the MCC, including the one dealing with refraining from making unverified allegations against political rivals and, avoiding “corrupt practices” and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters. The voter turnout as of 4.09 pm in Assam was 63.04 percent overall. District-wise, Nalbari ranked the highest in terms of voter turnout with 71 percent polling as of 4.09 pm. Among all the constituencies too, Nalbari was the highest. Drawing a football analogy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday claimed the people of Assam have shown the “red card” to the Congress-led Grand Alliance in the state. He also accused the previous Congress governments of being mute spectators for decades to unbridled violence in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of the state. “Football is a popular sport among the youths of Assam, and to use their parlance, the people of Assam have shown the Congress-led alliance the red card,” he said addressing an election rally at Kokrajhar. He also alleged the Congress governments in the state and at the Centre did nothing for decades to check violence in the Bodoland areas. Congress leader Manish Tewari demanded that a probe be launched into the Bodoland People’s Front Tamulpur candidate Rangja Basumatry’s disappearance. Sushmita Dev hailed the Mahajoth alliance, comprising Congress, AIUDF and eight other parties, as an ‘inclusive’ one and called the BJP-AGP alliance communal. Badruddin Ajmal, whose party is contesting the Assam polls in alliance with the Congress, cast his vote at polling station number 21 in Hojai. “PM Modi and Amit Shah have said they’ll send Bangladeshi infiltrators back. I challenge them to tell if even 100 Bangladeshis have been sent back in the last five years. They are the ones who get them here,” he told ANI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Amit Shah reached out to the people of Assam and urged them to cast their votes in the second phase today. Modi asked people to “strengthen the festival of democracy”, while Shah said voters should vote for a “self-reliant Assam”. The fate of 345 candidates, including top ministers and Opposition faces, will be sealed today (Thursday, 1 April ) as 39 seats go to the polls in the second phase of the Assam Assembly election. Some of the high-profile candidates in the fray include BJP minister Parimal Suklabaidya, Deputy Speaker Aminul Haque Laskar, expelled BJP MLA Dilip Paul AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal’s brother Sirajuddin Ajmal, among others. In all, 345 candidates, including 26 women, are in the fray in this phase, the polling for which will be held from 7 am to 6 pm amid heavy security and strict COVID-19 guidelines, officials said. The ruling BJP is contesting 34 seats, while its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) are fighting in six and three seats, respectively. There are “friendly contests” between the BJP and the AGP in Patharkandi and Algapur, while the BJP is engaged in similar fights with the UPPL in Majbat and Kalaigaon. The Mahajoth or Grand Alliance’s Congress is contesting in 28 seats, the AIUDF in seven and Bodoland Peoples’ Front (BPF) in four. The newly-formed Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) is contesting in 19 seats. There is a direct contest between the NDA and the Grand Alliance in 25 constituencies, while the rest are witnessing triangular fights. The second phase of polling will see a total of 73,44,631 voters exercising their franchise. Of them, 37,34,537 are males and 36,09,959females, while 135 are third gender voters. A total of 10,592 polling stations have been set up in 5,774 premises. There are 556 polling stations where only women officials will be deployed, while there are 117 model polling stations. The webcasting facility will be available at 5,315 polling stations. “We are fully prepared for it. Dispatch of polling and police officials began from yesterday,” Chief Electoral Officer of Assam Nitin Khade said on preparations for the second phase of polling. Total 42,368 polling personnel have been deployed for the second phase. Of them, 1,516 left for their destinations on Tuesday itself to reach polling stations set up in remote locations, especially in the three hill districts of DimaHasao, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong, official sources said. Sanitisers, thermal scanners, soaps and handwashing facilities will be available at all polling stations, they said. Hojai constituency has the highest of 2,65,886 voters, while Howraghat (ST) constituency has the lowest of 1,32,339 voters. Postal ballots have been issued to 21,281 people over 80 years old, and 5,407 Persons with Disabilities (PwD). Total 17,164 voters have been issued those through the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS). The second phase polling will also involve 26 general observers, 12 police observers, 16 expenditure observers and 807 micro-observers. Elections to the 126-member Assam assembly are being held in three-phases with 79.97 percent of the electorate exercising their franchise in 47 constituencies in the first phase on 27 March. The third and final phase elections will be held on April 6 for 40 seats. Items worth Rs 110 crore seized, 2,696 MCC violations reported On Wednesday, Khade said that agencies have confiscated items worth over Rs 110 crore in Assam, breaking all previous records in seizures of cash, liquor, drug and other goods after the Assembly polls were notified in the state. “Till now, seizures of drugs and narcotics worth Rs 34.29 crore, over 16.61 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 33.44 crore, cash amounting to Rs 24.50 crore along with gold, silver jewellery and gold bars worth Rs 3.68 crore have been made,” Khade said. During the 2016 state polls, central and state agencies had seized goods worth less than Rs 20 crore. Freebies and other items like cigarettes of foreign origin, poppy seeds, black pepper, areca nuts, pan masala worth Rs 14.91 crore have also been confiscated, Khade said. “So far, 50 FIRs have been registered across the state related to expenditure violation and 5,234 FIRs lodged in connection with violation of excise rules,” the CEO said. However, he did not share the number of persons who were detained and arrested in connection with the FIRs. Khade also said that a total of 2,696 cases have been registered. “Out of these, 1,272 cases have been registered online through cVigil app of which 908 cases have been found to be correct,” he said. Key candidates, constituencies in fray BJP minister Parimal Suklabaidya is in a direct contest with Congress’ Kamakhya Prasad Mala in Dholai, while Deputy Speaker Aminul Haque Laskar of the BJP is in a straight contest with AIUDF’s Karim Uddin Barbhuiyan in Sonai. Minister Pijush Hazarika is locked in a triangular contest with Congress’s Swapan Kumar Mandal and AJP’s BubulDas from Jagiroad (SC), and his cabinet colleague BhabeshKalita is in a direct fight with AJP’s Babul Saharia in the Rangiya constituency. Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary is fighting against BPF’s Karuna Kanta Swargiary in Paneri, while AIUDF’s Sirajuddin Ajmal, a former MP and MLA, is fighting the elections against AGP’s Sadikullah Bhuyan from Jamunamukh. Former Congress minister Gautam Roy, contesting on a BJP ticket from Katigora, is in a direct fight with his ex-party colleague Khalliluddin Mazumdar. Gautam’s son Rahul Roy, contesting as an Independent, is in a triangular contest with former Congress minister Ajit Singh and sitting BJP MLA MihirKanti Shome from Udharbond. Gautam Roy’s daughter-in-law Daisy Roy is also contesting as an Independent from Algapur where the AGP’sAftabuddin Laskar and BJP’s Moon Swarnakar, in a ‘friendly contest’, will battle against sitting AIUDF MLA NijamuddinChoudhury. In Silchar, sitting BJP MLA Dilip Paul, now expelled from the party, is contesting as an Independent and is locked in a contest with BJP’s Dipayan Chakraborty and Congress’sTamal Kanti Banik. Another BJP minister, Sum Ronghang, on being denied ticket joined the Congress and is locked in a direct fight against BJP’s Bidya Sing Engleng in Diphu. Total 175 candidates are fighting the phase two elections from 15 seats in the three districts of Karimganj, Hailakandi and Cachar. Algapur has the highest 19 candidates. There are only two candidates in the Udalguri (ST)constituency where BPF minister Rihon Daimary is engaged in a direct contest with UPPL’s Gobinda Chandra Basumatary, who is currently the deputy chief of the Bodoland Territorial Council(BTC). The elections will be held amid tight security with310 companies of forces being deployed for the second phase, an official said. Round-the-clock patrolling is being carried out along with strict vigil in critical areas in all the constituencies spread over 13 districts in Barak Valley, the Hills districts and parts of Central and Lower Assam. A constable and a home guard will be deployed in each polling station with sector and zonal police officers to monitor the situation. With inputs from PTI
Assam election 2021 Updates: 73.03% turnout recorded till 6 pm; Nowgong seat ranks highest with 83.10% polling
Assam election 2021 LIVE Updates: Among Assembly constituencies, the Nowgong seat recorded the highest turnout at 83.10 percent read more
 "Assam election 2021 Updates: 73.03% turnout recorded till 6 pm; Nowgong seat ranks highest with 83.10% polling")
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Overall 74.69% polling recorded in Assam till 6.45 pm
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Assam records 73.03% voter turnout at 6 pm
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Badruddin Ajmal claims Himanta Biswa Sarma ‘scared’ of losing polls
The AIUDF leader’s statement came as a reaction to the EC’s notice against BJP leader and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over allegedly making threatening remarks against Opposition leader Hagrama Mohilary of the Bodoland People’s Front.
.@HimantaBiswa scared of losing elections, resorts to using NIA as a threat. EC notice had to come in to punch the brakes on his immoral ride to nowhere. Why? B’coz BJP is left with no moral values. They have forgotten what it is to fight fair, blinded by the fear of losing. pic.twitter.com/8Okl9mfvzD
— Maulana Badruddin Ajmal (@BadruddinAjmal) April 1, 2021
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
63.88 percent voting percentage recorded till 5 pm
Meanwhile, at 5.30 pm, the EC voter turnout app showed that the state had recorded 72.70 percent voter turnout. The Nalbari district recorded the highest turnout at 81.53 percent.
Among Assembly constituencies, Dalgaon recorded the highest polling percentage at 81.70 percent.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
EC asks Himanta Biswa Sarma to respond to notice by tomorrow
The EC issued a show cause notice to Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma for allegedly making threatening remarks against Opposition leader Hagrama Mohilary of the Bodoland People’s Front. He has been asked to respond to the notice by 5 pm on 2 April. The Congress had approached the EC alleging that Sarma had threatened to send Mohilary to jail by misusing the NIA.
The Bodoland People’s Front is an ally of the Congress in Assam.
The notice to Sarma cited various provisions of the MCC, including the one dealing with refraining from making unverified allegations against political rivals and, avoiding “corrupt practices” and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Visuals from voting in Udalguri constituency
Glimpses of ongoing polling from different booths of Udalguri district, Assam#GoVote #AssemblyElections2021 #ElectionCommissionOfIndia #ECI pic.twitter.com/5OGcwn1Udp
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) April 1, 2021
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Himanta Biswa Sarma campaigns in Barama
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday campaigned for BJP candidate Bhupen Boro in the Barama Assembly constituency, Financial Express reported. Barama will go to polls in the third and final phase of election on 6 April in Assam.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Polling percentage as of 4 pm:
The voter turnout as of 4.09 pm in Assam was 63.04 percent overall.District-wise, Nalbari ranked the highest in terms of voter turnout with 71 percent polling as of 4.09 pm. Among all the constituencies too, Nalbari was the highest.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Senior citizen voters provided e-rickshaws in Cachar constituency
The Cachar district administration has provided e-rickshaw facility to senior citizens having difficulty in mobility for travelling to the polling stations to cast their votes in the second phase of Assam assembly elections held on Thursday.
“The e-rickshaw facility has been provided to 60-plus voters in Cachar especially to those who have difficulty in mobility. They are also being felicitated for exercising their franchise,” Jalli told PTI.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Assam polling peaceful so far
The situation in Assam was peaceful with a significant number of voters turning up during the morning hours to exercise their franchise in the 39 seats where voting was underway in the second phase on Thursday.
There were reports of EVM glitches from some polling stations and upon their immediate replacement voting continued uninterrupted, an election official said.
Long queues were seen outside most of the 10,592 polling stations across the 13 districts in the Barak Valley, the Hill region and parts of Central and Lower Assam since early morning. A significant number of women voters were seen turning up early for exercising their franchise.
– PTI
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Narendra Modi accuses Congress of ignoring violence in Bodoland areas
Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged the Congress governments in Assam and at the Centre did nothing for decades to check violence in the Bodoland areas.
“In the long years of its rule, the Congress threw Bodoland into bomb, bandook (gun) and blockade culture. In 2016, we had come to you with the promise of peace and development. During the last five years, we made sincere efforts and gifted Bodoland peace and respect,” he said.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
EC provides e-ricksaws to ferry elderly voters in Cachar
The Election Commission provided e-Rickshaw facilities for voters above 60 years in Cachar. The contest in the Silchar Assembly Constituency has reduced between Independent candidate Dilip Kumar Pal, BJP candidate Dipayan Chakraborty and Congress candidate Tamal Banik, though a dozen other candidates are in the fray.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Assam has shown Mahajoth alliance “red card”: Narendra Modi
Drawing a football analogy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday claimed the people of Assam have shown the “red card” to the Congress-led Grand Alliance in the state. He also accused the previous Congress governments of being mute spectators for decades to unbridled violence in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of the state.
“Football is a popular sport among the youths of Assam, and to use their parlance, the people of Assam have shown the Congress-led alliance the red card,” he said addressing an election rally at Kokrajhar.
He also alleged the Congress governments in the state and at the Centre did nothing for decades to check violence in the Bodoland areas.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
About Sonai constituency, where BJP leader Aminul Haque Laskar is contesting
Sonai constituency is located in Assam’s Cachar district and falls under the Silchar Lok Sabha constituency.
In the 2016 Assembly election, the constituency had a total of 1,59,040 registered voters. The voter turnout in Sonai in the previous Assembly election was 77.63 percent.
In the 2016 Assembly election, Laskar easily thwarted the challenge from the Congress’ Anamul Haque.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Congress seeks EC probe into Tamulpur candidate’s disappearance
Congress leader Manish Tewari demanded that a probe be launched into the Bodoland People’s Front Tamulpur candidate Rangja Basumatry’s disappearance. BPF is a part of the Congress-led Mahajoth alliance.
Tewari also demanded an answer from the BJP-AGP government in the state about the BDF leader’s whereabouts.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Voters casting their first votes in Mangaldoi
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
EC issues notice to Himanta Biswa Sarma
Election Commission issues notice to Assam BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma based on Congress’s complaint alleging that he threatened Hagrama Mohilary, chairman of Bodoland People’s Front, a Congress ally, that he would be sent to jail by using NIA.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Assam records 43.66% turnout by 1.17 pm
Till 1.17, Assam records voter turnout of 43.66 percent across 39 constituencies which went to the polls in the second phase of Assembly elections today. Hailakandi district registers highest poll percentage of 51.51 while the lowest is recorded in Bokajan (33.20).
Assam Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Assamese singer queues up to cast vote
Renowned Assamese singer Anindita Paul cast her vote at a polling booth in Nagaon.
Assam Election 2021 LATEST Updates
33.24% voter turnout recorded till 1 pm
As per the latest Election Commission figures, a voter turnout of 33.24 percent was recorded till 1 pm.
Assam Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Congress’ Sushmita Dev casts vote in Silchar
Congress leader sushmita Dev cast her vote during the second phase of elections in the state at a polling booth in Silchar. She later hailed the Mahajoth alliance, comprising Congress, AIUDF and eight other parties, as an “inclusive” one and called the BJP-AGP alliance communal.
Assam Election 2021 LATEST Updates
How to find your name in electoral roll
Through the online method
Log on to CEO website of the respective state or UT and click on the Electoral Roll option
The electoral roll is available in English, Hindi and the state’s language
Click on Main Roll
Select your Assembly Constituency based on the part of the city you reside in (or the address mentioned in the documents submitted during registration)
Select the exact area of the constituency or Part Number depending on your residence (or your registered address falls)
Fill out the Captcha code and click on submit
Click on the PDF link delivered after the search and scan for your name from the list arranged in alphabetical order
Through landline/mobile phones
Calling the Voter Helpline 1950, prefixed by your area’s STD code
Select your preferred language and follow the instructions by the automated operator
Through SMS
SMS space to 1950 (EPIC stands for Electors Photo Identity Card also commonly known as Voter ID card). Example – If your EPIC is 12345678 then sms ECI 12345678 to 1950
Through mobile app
Android users can download the mobile application from Google Play Store
iPhone users may visit the App Store and search for voter helpline.
Assam Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Model polling stations give voters gamosas, adopt eco-friendly theme
Long queues were seen outside most of the booths as women stepped out in large numbers during the early hours of polling.
In many of the 117 model polling stations, the first voters were greeted with gamosas (traditional Assamese stole), and in some with saplings.
#AssamAssemblyElections2021 : Model Polling Stations in Cachar have become eco-friendly with all recyclable material only being used. 1st voters in M/F/Sr Citizen/PWD gifted saplings sir. The gateway is made by SHG women weaving traditional Sheetal Pati mats. #PollsWithAIR pic.twitter.com/sRL6Dc9jTh
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) April 1, 2021
Assam Election 2021 LATEST Updates
20.07% turnout recorded till 11.15 am
According to the approximate voter turnout trends released by the Election Commission till 11.15 am, Assam saw 20.07 percent turnout.
Assam Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Documents to use as ID proof in absence of voter’s card
Here’s a list of documents that voters can use instead of a Voter ID card as a photo identity proof to cast vote:
1. Passport
2. Driving licence
3. Service identity card of the state government or the central government
4. PAN card
5. Aadhar card
6. Passbook issued by bank or post office
7. MGNREGA job card
8. Health insurance card issued by the Ministry of Labour
9. Pension document with a photograph
10. Authenticated photo voter slip issued by the Election Commission
11. Public limited companies
12. Passbooks issued by banks or post office
13. Pension document with photograph and official identity cards issued to MPs, MLAs and MLCs.
Assam Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Elderly, persons with disabilities reach polling booths to cast vote
Assam Election 2021 LATEST Updates
How to locate polling station
Voters can log on to the official website of the Election Commission — <a href=“https://electoralsearch.in/" rel=“nofollow” style=“box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline-block; text-decoration-line: none; cursor: pointer; outline: 0px; color: rgb(223, 91, 67); font-family: " playfair=”” display",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 16px;"="" target="_blank">electoralsearch.in — to search for their polling station. Voters can access the page using this <a href=“https://electoralsearch.in/" rel=“nofollow” style=“box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline-block; text-decoration-line: none; cursor: pointer; outline: 0px; color: rgb(223, 91, 67); font-family: " playfair=”” display",="" sans-serif;="" font-size:="" 16px;"="" target="_blank">direct link.
The voter helpline number 1950 will also help voters locate polling station. You can call this number after adding the STD code (011 in this case) or get the details by sending an SMS to 1950 with space .
Additionally, the electoral roll also has the exact address, Google location and photographs of the polling station.
A polling station, however, should not be confused with a polling booth as the latter is set up by candidates or parties to help electors identify the candidates and parties, and offer assistance in locating their polling stations.
Assam Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Badruddin Ajmal casts vote at Hojai
All India United Democratic Front President Badruddin Ajmal, whose party is contesting the Assam polls in alliance with the Congress, cast his vote at polling station number 21 in Hojai.
“PM Modi and Amit Shah have said they’ll send Bangladeshi infiltrators back. I want to ask them how many Bangladeshis were sent back till now? I challenge them to tell if even 100 Bangladeshis have been sent back in the last five years. They are the ones who get them here,” he told ANI, after casting his vote.
Assam: All India United Democratic Front President Badruddin Ajmal casts his vote at polling station number 21 in Hojai#AssamAssemblyPolls pic.twitter.com/fp4T08fkEI
— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2021
Assam Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Karbi Anglong records highest turnout at 15.93%
As of 10 am, Assam recorded a voting percentage of 10.51 percent on Thursday during the second phase of Assembly polls. Of the 14 districts voting today, Karbi Anglong registered the highest voter turnout at 15.93 percent while, Morigaon on the other hand could manage only 6.39 percent.
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
Rahul Gandhi adds sixth promise to manifesto
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi added a sixth guarantee to the party’s election manifesto — to free Assam from the control of Delhi and Nagpur.
‘Nagpur’ is a reference to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s headquarters while the Congress has been accusing the Sarbananda Sonowal government of letting the BJP’s central leadership in Delhi run the show in Assam.
“You know about the five guarantees of the Congress. Let me guarantee a sixth, that the Mahajot [grand alliance] government will not let Assam be controlled by either Nagpur or Delhi if voted to power,” he told a meeting at Barkhetri in western Assam.
The party leads the 10-party Mahajot that includes perfume baron Badruddin Ajmal’s All India United Democratic Front.
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
39 seats across six regions to test alliance’s strength
The second phase of polling for the Assam Vidhan Sabha election covers seats across six different regions of the state.
Barak Valley: 15 seats
Bengali-speaking voters are in a majority in this region, which has a sizable number of migrants from East Bengal, both Hindus and Muslims. While the BJP is stronger among Bengali Hindu migrants, the region also has a sizable Muslim population – 60 percent in Hailakandi district, 56 percent in Karimganj district and 37 percent in Cachar district
Central Assam: 12 seats
Central Assam too has a sizable Muslim population, though it is a mix of Assamese and Bengali speakers. Muslims account for 56 percent of the population in Nagaon district, 52 percent in Morigaon, 53 percent in Hojai and 64 percent in Darrang.
Hill districts: 5 seats
Though a variety of tribal and non tribal communities live in these sparsely populated districts, there are two dominant hill tribe communities – Karbis in Karbi Anglong and Dimasas in Dima Hasao. In the last election, the NDA had won four out of these 5 seats and Congress won one – Baithalangso in West Karbi Anglong.
The BJP is said to have a strong hold over these areas due to its control of the autonomous councils.
Bodoland Territorial Council: 4 seats
In last year’s Bodoland Territorial Council polls, the BJP-UPPL combine had performed relatively better in this part of Bodoland compared to Kokrajhar, which is the stronghold of BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary.
Kamrup: 2 seats
Three of the seats voting on 1 April are right across the Brahmaputra river from Guwahati. The NDA is dominant here and had won all three with comfortable margins last time.
Lower Assam: 1 seat
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
Narendra Modi, Amit Shah urge voters to exercise franchise without fail
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Amit Shah reached out to the people of Assam and urged them to cast their votes in the second phase today. Modi asked people to “strengthen the festival of democracy”, while Shah said voters should vote for a “self-reliant Assam”.
Second phase of the Assam polls takes place today. Requesting all eligible voters of this phase to strengthen the festival of democracy by exercising their franchise.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 1, 2021
Today is the second phase of polling in Assam and I appeal to everyone to cast their vote without fail.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 1, 2021
A special appeal to our young voters to exercise their franchise for a peaceful and self-reliant Assam.
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
Ex-minister Rajen Gohain casts vote
Former MoS Railways and BJP leader Rajen Gohain cast his vote at a polling booth in Nagaon.
“BJP will get over 35 seats out of the total 47 in the 1st phase. In the 2nd phase too, we’ll get many seats. BJP will undoubtedly form the government with more than 75 seats,” he told ANI.
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
EC teams brave odds to ensure conduct of polls
Election Commission teams braved the hilly terrain, heavy rain and forests of Assam to reach remote polling booths, where polling is being held in the second phase today.
Polling parties reaching their destination in Dima Hasao Districts, Haflong, Assam ahead of phase II voting scheduled on 1st April 2021 #Novotertobeleftbehind #AssamAssemblyPolls pic.twitter.com/XEizQz7kM3
— Spokesperson ECI (@SpokespersonECI) March 31, 2021
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
Constituencies voting in Phase 2
Assam is voting in the second phase of Assembly polls today with 345 candidates in the fray from 39 constituencies. Here is the list of the constituencies which are going to polls.
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
BJP will not Assam become become infiltrators hub: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday told AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal sternly that BJP will not allow Assam to become a hub for infiltrators again after the saffron party had successfully freed the land encroached by them during the last five years.
Taking a swipe at Ajmal for claiming that the “lock and key (AIUDF symbol) of forming the next government in the state is in his hands, Shah said the people would decide who will run Assam.
“Kaan khol kar sunlo Ajmal, Assam ko ghuspetiyo ke adda phir se nahin banne denge (Ajmal listen carefully we will not allow Assam to become a hub for infiltrators again)”, Shah said while addressing an election rally at Bijni in Chirang district that comes under Bodoland Territorial Region.
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
EC issues notices to Assam newspapers over BJP ad
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued notices to eight newspapers of Assam which carried an advertisement of the BJP in the form of a headline claiming that the party will win all 47 seats where elections were held in the first phase on Saturday, officials told PTI.
The notices were sent to the newspapers following a complaint filed by the Congress alleging that the advertisement violated a directive of the ECI, the model code of conduct for the election and the Representation of People Act, 1951.
The leading English, Assamese, Hindi and Bengali newspapers that published the advertisements include The Assam Tribune, Asomiya Pratidin, Aamar Asom, Niyomia Barta, Asomiya Khabor, Dainik Asam, Dainik Jugasankha and Dainik Purvodaya.
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
Steps to follow to cast your vote
Don't forget to add the most important activity to your To-Do list. #GoVote#AssemblyElections2021 #NoVoterToBeLeftBehind #ElectionCommissionOfIndia #ECI pic.twitter.com/zzPdzLrePN
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) March 31, 2021
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
Voting delayed at Nagaon, Silchar polling booths
Voting was temporarily stopped at polling station number 146 at Nirtamoyee Balika Vidyalaya in Silchar due to EVM malfunction, reported ANI.
Voting was also delayed at polling station number 26 at Nowgong Law College in Nagaon owing to the same reason.
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
Key contests in Phase 2
Minister Pijush Hazarika is locked in a triangular contest with Congress’s Swapan Kumar Mandal and AJP’s Bubul Das from Jagiroad (SC), and his cabinet colleague Bhabesh Kalita is in a direct fight with AJP’s Babul Saharia in the Rangiya constituency.
Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary is fighting against BPF’s Karuna Kanta Swargiary in Paneri, while AIUDF’s Sirajuddin Ajmal, a former MP and MLA, is fighting the elections against AGP’s Sadikullah Bhuyan from Jamunamukh.
Former Congress minister Gautam Roy, contesting on a BJP ticket from Katigora, is in a direct fight with his ex-party colleague Khalliluddin Mazumdar. Gautam’s son Rahul Roy, contesting as an Independent, is in a triangular contest with former Congress minister Ajit Singh and sitting BJP MLA Mihir Kanti Shome from Udharbond.
Gautam Roy’s daughter-in-law Daisy Roy is also contesting as an Independent from Algapur where the AGP’s Aftabuddin Laskar and BJP’s Moon Swarnakar, in a ‘friendly contest’, will battle against sitting AIUDF MLA Nijamuddin Choudhury.
In Silchar, sitting BJP MLA Dilip Paul, now expelled from the party, is contesting as an Independent and is locked in a contest with BJP’s Dipayan Chakraborty and Congress’s Tamal Kanti Banik.
Another BJP minister, Sum Ronghang, on being denied ticket joined the Congress and is locked in a direct fight against BJP’s Bidya Sing Engleng in Diphu.
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
Key issues pursued by political parties
The second phase saw the debate over Citizenship Amendment Act. While the BJP leaders said that they will implement Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Congress has promised to “nullify it”.
The BJP has been targeting the Congress party over its alliance with AIUDF and has been raising the issue of infiltration. Party leaders have said that Congress has allied with those who have “favoured infiltration”.
The BJP has also promised to free the state of the problem of recurrent floods. “We want to make Assam free from floods. Satellite mapping will be done, reservoirs will be created. We want to make every village in the state ‘aatmanirbhar’,” JP Nadda said at a public meeting in Dharmapur.
The Congress, on the other hand, has promised five lakh government jobs to youth in five years, 200 units of free electricity, taking daily-wage of tea garden workers to Rs 365 and Rs 2,000 per month to homemakers.
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
Elections being held amid tight security
The elections will be held amid tight security with 310 companies of forces being deployed for the second phase, an official said.
Round-the-clock patrolling is being carried out along with strict vigil in critical areas in all the constituencies spread over 13 districts in Barak Valley, the Hills districts and parts of Central and Lower Assam. A constable and a home guard will be deployed in each polling station with sector and zonal police officers to monitor the situation.
The Election Commission has decided to use Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) along with Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at every Polling Station, with a view to enhancing the transparency and credibility of the election process.
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
NDA, Grand Alliance in direct contest in 25 seats
The ruling BJP is contesting 34 seats, while its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) are fighting in six and three seats, respectively.
There are “friendly contests” between the BJP and the AGP in Patharkandi and Algapur, while the BJP is engaged in similar fights with the UPPL in Majbat and Kalaigaon.
The Grand Alliance’s Congress is contesting in 28 seats, the AIUDF in seven and Bodoland Peoples’ Front (BPF) in four. The newly-formed Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) is contesting in 19 seats.
There is a direct contest between the NDA and the Grand Alliance in 25 constituencies, while the rest are witnessing triangular fights.
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
Over 73.4 lakh electors to cast vote in phase 2
The second phase of polling will see a total of 73,44,631 voters exercising their franchise. Of them, 37,34,537 are males and 36,09,959females, while 135 are third gender voters. A total of 10,592 polling stations have been set up in 5,774 premises.
There are 556 polling stations where only women officials will be deployed, while there are 117 model polling stations. The webcasting facility will be available at 5,315 polling stations.
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
High-profile candidates in fray include Aminul Haque Laskar
Some of the high-profile candidates in the fray include BJP minister Parimal Suklabaidya, Deputy Speaker Aminul Haque Laskar, expelled BJP MLA Dilip Paul AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal’s brother Sirajuddin Ajmal, among others.
In all, 345 candidates, including 26 women, are in the fray in this phase, the polling for which will be held from 7 am to 6 pm amid heavy security and strict COVID-19 guidelines, officials said.
Assam election 2021 LATEST Updates
Polling for 39 seats in phase 2 to begin at 7 am today
The fate of 345 candidates, including top ministers and Opposition faces, will be sealed today (Thursday, 1 April ) as 39 seats go to the polls in the second phase of the Assam Assembly election.
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