Satyabrat Borah
(satyabratborah12@gmail.com)
The upcoming Panchayat elections in Assam are set to take place soon, bringing excitement and activity to many parts of the state. These elections are important because they allow people to choose leaders for their local villages and communities. Panchayats are groups that help manage things like schools, roads, and water in rural areas. They make sure the needs of the people are met at the grassroots level. This year, the elections will happen in two phases, giving everyone a chance to vote for the leaders they trust.
The Assam State Election Commission has planned the elections carefully. They announced that voting will occur on May 2 and May 7, 2025, in 27 out of the state’s 34 districts. The first phase will cover 14 districts, including places like Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, and Cachar. The second phase will include 13 districts, such as Dhubri, Goalpara, and Kamrup. Seven districts won’t have these elections because they follow a different system called the Sixth Schedule, which has its own way of choosing leaders. The results of the elections will be shared on May 11, 2025, so people won’t have to wait long to know who won.
More than 1.8 crore people are expected to vote in these elections. This number includes about 90.71 lakh men, 89.65 lakh women, and 408 others. The Election Commission has set up 25,007 polling stations across the state to make voting easy. Each station will have enough workers to help voters, and security will be in place to keep everything peaceful. The commission is also updating the voter list to include new people who are eligible to vote, as long as they were 18 years old by January 1, 2025. Voters can use their voter ID cards or other documents like Aadhaar or ration cards to prove who they are.
The panchayat system in Assam has three levels: Gaon Panchayat, Anchalik Panchayat, and Zilla Parishad. At the gaon panchayat level, people will elect 21,920 members. There are also 2,192 Gaon Panchayat presidents and vice presidents, and half of these roles are reserved for women. At the Anchalik Panchayat level, 2,192 members will be chosen, along with 181 presidents and vice-presidents. For the Zilla Parishad, 397 members will be elected. These numbers show how many leaders will work together to make decisions for their communities.
One special thing about this election is that Gaon Panchayat candidates can’t use political party symbols. This means they will run as individuals, not as members of parties like BJP or Congress. The Election Commission wants these elections to focus on local issues, not big political groups. However, candidates for Anchalik Panchayat and Zilla Parishad can show their party connections. This mix allows voters to think about both the person and the party when making their choice.
The process for candidates to join the election is clear. Candidates could withdraw their names by April 17 if they changed their minds. There are rules for who can run. For example, candidates for Gaon Panchayat must have passed their Class 10 exams, while those for higher levels need to have passed Class 12. Also, candidates can’t have more than two living children, but this rule doesn’t apply to children born before March 19, 2018.
The Election Commission is using ballot papers for voting instead of electronic machines. They said there aren’t enough machines for such a big election, so paper ballots will be used at all polling stations. This method is familiar to many voters, and officials will make sure the counting is done fairly. About 1.2 lakh workers will help run the elections, from setting up stations to counting votes. The commission has also set limits on how much money candidates can spend. For Gaon Panchayat members, the limit is 25,000 rupees. For Anchalik Panchayat members, it’s 2.5 lakh rupees, and for Zilla Parishad candidates, it’s 10 lakh rupees. These rules help keep the elections fair.
To make sure everyone can vote, the government has declared May 2 and May 7 as public holidays in the areas where polling will happen. This means schools, offices, banks, and even tea gardens will close for the day. The idea is to give people time to go to the polling stations without worrying about work. In some places, like Golaghat, there are 1,164 polling stations for 7.88 lakh voters. In Bokakhat, 1.39 lakh voters will use 204 polling stations. These numbers show how much effort is going into making the elections smooth.
Political parties are getting ready for the elections too. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its partner, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), have decided to work together. They’ve formed teams to plan their campaigns and share their ideas with voters. Other parties, like the Congress, are also preparing. They see these elections as a chance to connect with people in villages and show their strength before the bigger state elections in 2026. Even smaller groups are joining in, talking to voters about what they can do for their communities.
The elections are a big deal because they show how democracy works at the local level. People in Assam’s villages will choose leaders who understand their daily lives. These leaders will help fix things like broken roads, improve schools, and make sure clean water is available. The panchayats also manage programmes that give jobs or support to families who need help. By voting, people can pick someone they believe will listen to them and make their village better.
The government has made some changes to prepare for the elections. They passed a new law called the Assam Panchayat (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which includes rules for managing local markets. They also reorganized some areas in 2023 to make sure each panchayat represents the right number of people. These changes aim to make the system fairer and more organized. The last panchayat elections were in 2018, and the term of those leaders ended in February 2024. That’s why everyone is eager for this new election to choose fresh leaders.
Voters are excited too. Many are talking about what they want from their panchayats. Some want better schools for their children, while others hope for more jobs or cleaner villages. The elections give them a chance to have their say. In rural areas, where most of Assam’s people live, these votes matter a lot. The leaders elected will work closely with the state government to bring development to their areas.
To keep things peaceful, the Election Commission has rules called the Model Code of Conduct. These rules tell candidates how to campaign fairly, like not misusing government resources or causing trouble. The commission is also making sure voters know about the election dates and how to vote. They’ve asked everyone to cooperate so the elections can be free and fair.
The Panchayat elections are a time for communities to come together. Neighbours will talk about who they want as their leaders, and families will go to polling stations to cast their votes. It’s a moment when every person’s voice counts, no matter how small their village is. After the votes are counted on May 11, new leaders will start working to make life better for their people. These elections are a reminder that change starts at home, in the places where people live every day.
As the election days get closer, Assam is buzzing with energy. Candidates are meeting voters, sharing their plans, and listening to what people need. The government is doing its part to make sure everything is ready, from voter lists to polling stations. For the people of Assam, this is a chance to shape their future by choosing leaders who care about their villages. The Panchayat elections may be local, but they have a big impact on the lives of millions.