Panchayat poll concludes in Lakhimpur

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: Polling for the Panchayat poll concluded on Wednesday in Lakhimpur with various anomalies in the rlectoral roll and ballot papers. Along with 15 other districts of the State, polling began in the district from 7 am for 17 zila parishad constituencies, 81 gaon panchayat presidents, 81 anchalik panchayat members of nine anchalik panchayats and 810 ward members at 934 polling booths.

Voters were seen thronging the polling booths with enthusiasm since morning in the district. But tension prevailed in various polling stations when some of the voters did not find their names in the electoral rolls. This happened at No. 97 polling booth under Lakhimpur Gaon Panchayat. It was alleged that as many as 500 voters out of 900 having electoral photo identity cards did not find their names in the electoral roll.

BJP ward member candidate Rupa Bonia Hazarika could not caste her franchise due to this reason. Voters faced similar situation at the polling booth of No. 9 Ward under Ujjalpur GP. Such anomalies were seen in the polling booths at Chutiakari, Solmari under Uttar Telahi, Joyhing LP School, Koylamari Church land and Navajyot LP School under Joyhing GP, Kadam Bahbari in addition to some other polling stations under Harmutty, Narayanpur, Bihpuria and Dhakuakhona subdivision.

However, polling continued in those polling stations due to steps taken by the administration and election observers. The presiding officer engaged at No. 34 Polling booth under Deezu GP, Khagen Borah was removed for his malfunction regarding polling activities.

On the other hand, ballot papers without the name of any ward member candidate were sent to the polling station at Harmutty Bazaar LP School, Ward No 5 (new section). Though the poll for the ZPC member, GP president and AP member was held, re-poll will be done for the ward member candidates of that booth. No poll-related untoward incident was reported from any part of the district.

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