With around 75 per cent turnout, BTC poll concludes peacefully in Kokrajhar

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, April 8: The third BTC election which was held on Wednesday passed off peacefully in Kokrajhar district. The elections to the council was held in 40 constituencies - 30 reserved for ST, 5 reserved for non ST and 5 seats open for all. The voting started from 8 am and ended at 4 pm. The total voter turnout in the district was around 75 per cent.  Barring some small incidents, the poll ended peacefully.

BPF president Hagrama Mohilary cast his vote at Deborgaon LP School in no 41 voting centre. He was accompanied by his wife Seuli Mohilary, the president of BPPF and candidate of Bargaon constituency Rabiram rzary cast his vote at Uttam Sen Balika Vidyalaya while, BTC Deputy Chief and BPF candidate from Chirangduar constituency Kampa Borgoyary cast his vote at Bashbari LP School.

Talking to media persons, Mohilary said the BPF would get absolute majority and for the third time, the party would form the government at BTC. He said the BPF was confident of winning over 30 seats. In Kokrajhar district, there are 12 constituencies and out of these, 11 seats would be captured by BPF. The main contest would be between the BPF, PCDR and BJP, he said adding that the some seats were likely to go to independent candidates.

Kokrajhar Returning Officer Thaneswar Malakar said the election was peaceful in the district with total turnout to be 72 per cent-75 per cent. He also said that the voter turnout in the remaining three districts of BTC was 72 per cent-75 per cent in Chirang, 75 per cent -79 per cent in Baksa and 71 per cent -75 per cent in Udalguri. He said there were 754 polling stations in Kokrajhar out of which more than 500 stations were identified as sensitive. He said that 35 zol magistrates and 27 video teams were assigned to cover the vulnerable areas and transit camps were made for the polling personnel who were assigned in the remote areas. A total of 5,85,971 voters – 2,48,340 in Kokrajhar subdivision, 2,82,354 in Gossaigaon subdivision and 55,277 voters in Parbhatjhora subdivision - exercised their franchise in 12 constituencies under the district to decide the fate of 88 candidates. The BPF, BJP and Congress contested in all 12 constituencies, one from AGP, four from AIUDF and the rest are independent candidates.

Meanwhile, a CRPF Jawan from 129 Battalion TC Saikia hailing from Tinsukia died while he was on election duty. He suffered a heart attack and was immediately admitted at Aflagaon Primary Health Centre where he breathed his last.