BTC Polls: Man without identity card enters counting centre; Tension prevails

Violent scenes were seen at the counting centre set up at Tamulpur Higher Secondary School after security personnel posted at the centre apprehended a man who entered the counting centre without proper identity card. The man identified himself as a Returning Officer (RO) but he could not produce a valid identity card. This led to intense argument between party supporters, security personnel and the man who according to security personnel, is from Kamrup district.

The counting of votes for the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections started from 8 AM on Saturday. The voting for BTC was completed in two phases on 7 and 10 December. A total of 40 council seats are being contested by political parties BPF, UPPL, BJP and AIUDF-Congress. The magic number for gaining control of the council is by winning 21 of the 40 seats. Voting was done using paper ballots. The BPF has been ruling the BTC for three straight terms since the first elections were held in 2005. The BTC was formed in 2003.