Guwahati, April 9: Amid ongoing voting for the Assam Assembly elections, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed optimism on Thursday that a significant number of residents will vote for development. He noted that the weather is favorable and hopes that voters will actively participate today.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of public participation in Assam’s development, stating that the electoral process symbolizes the strength of democracy. Central Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also shared his hopes for the state’s future, asserting that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the next term will be filled with progress and upliftment across all sectors in Assam.
According to the Election Commission of India, voter turnout in the Assam Assembly elections reached 38.92 percent by 11 AM on Thursday. Voting is ongoing across all 126 assembly seats, primarily contested between the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the Congress-led opposition coalition.
Under Chief Minister Sarma’s leadership, the ruling BJP aims to retain power, while the Congress party is striving for a comeback after losing power in 2016.
A total of 722 candidates are contesting in the Assam Assembly elections. Key candidates include Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Gaurav Gogoi, opposition leader Debabrata Saikia, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi, and Assam Ethnic Council President Lurin Jyoti Gogoi. The elections are taking place across 31,490 polling stations spread over 35 districts.
The electorate consists of approximately 25 million voters, including around 12.5 million women and 318 voters from the third gender category. Competition is particularly fierce in several constituencies, with the Algapur-Katlicherra and Karimganj South seats having the highest number of candidates at 15 each. Conversely, nine seats feature only two candidates, including Rangia, Jagiroad (SC), Hojai, Nadwa, Jonai (ST), Doomdooma, Mahmorah, Teok, and Lakhipur.
Among the total candidates, 59 are women. The Congress party has fielded the highest number of female candidates at 14, while the BJP has nominated seven. The counting of votes will take place on May 4, after which the final results will be announced.
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