Record vote in Phase II

Initial turnout estimate of 82.02 % likely to rise to 85%, says EC

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, April 11: The second and fil phase of polling to the Assam assembly in 61 constituencies on Monday saw 82.02 percent (till 5 pm) with over 1 crore voters exercising their franchise, on a day that witnessed the death of a voter in clashes with security forces and injuries to many others in different places.

Polling officials estimate that the fil poll percentage is likely to touch 85 percent as reports were still coming in from polling centres.

Chief Electoral Officer Vijayendran said 82.02 percent polling had been recorded so far (till 5 pm) but the percentage was likely to increase further to 85 percent.

He said a total of 191 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were replaced in different polling stations due to malfunctioning. The EVMs were replaced swiftly and    polling completed without interruption. However, due to technical problems, re-poll has been recommended at one polling station - No. 24  Kachugaon M.E. School (Right side) under Gossaigaon constituency. 

Vijayendran said polling across the 61 constituencies was by and large peaceful.

Former prime minister and Congress leader Manmohan Singh cast his vote at the Dispur Government High School in Dispur area of Guwahati.

His wife Gurcharan Kaur, also a voter in Dispur constituency, however, did not come to vote.

A tight security cordon was put in place at the school since Monday morning.

Security forces, including personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Special Protection Group (SPG), allowed voters to enter the polling centre only after frisking.

Long queues were seen before many polling stations from around 6 a.m.

Previously, the State had witnessed the highest assembly election turnout in 1996 – at 78.92 per cent. However, in the last Lok Sabha elections, the State witnessed 80 per cent voter turnout.

Polling was high in minority-domited areas like Salmara and Goalpara. Goalpara West recorded a turnout of over 90 per cent.

Even in the four seats of Guwahati, people came out in large numbers. Guwahati East, known for poor turnouts, registered a turnout of 73 per cent this time compared to 56.44 in the 2011 elections. Jalukbari recorded 85.26, Dispur 77.77 and Guwahati West 80.56 voter turnouts.

A total of 1,04,35,277 voters were eligible to cast their ballot in the second phase. Of these, 50,440,51 voters were women and 22 from the third gender.

There were 525 candidates in the fray — 48 of them women. Voting took place in 12,699 polling stations across the State.

The first phase of polling for 65 constituencies took place on April 4 which remained peaceful and recorded 83.2 percent turnout.