Guwahati: The stage is set for the first phase of Assam’s highly anticipated panchayat elections, which will unfold on Friday across 14 districts, including those in the upper, northern, and Barak Valley regions. Polling will kick off at 7:30 AM and run until 4:30 PM, with stringent security measures in place to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Officials from the Assam State Election Commission have flagged approximately 11% of the polling stations as "critical," based on analyses of previous voting patterns. Critical stations are identified due to factors such as an exceptionally high voter turnout and a significant imbalance in votes for a single candidate during past elections.
This electoral round features a united BJP-led alliance contesting against a fragmented opposition that couldn’t reach an agreement on seat sharing. In this first of two phases, voters will have the opportunity to decide on representatives for 216 zilla parishad constituencies and 94 anchalik panchayat constituencies, alongside a staggering 1,139 gaon panchayats. In total, there are 12,916 polling stations prepared for the first phase.
With more than 89.6 lakh voters registered, the voter demographic includes around 44.66 lakh male voters and 44.93 lakh female voters, highlighting a closely matched electorate. The districts participating in this crucial electoral process include Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Majuli, Jorhat, Golaghat, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Sribhumi. A broad field of candidates will vie for public office, with 639 candidates running for zilla parishad positions and 2,608 competing for anchalik panchayat roles.
Alok Kumar, the state election commissioner, expressed confidence in the electoral arrangements, stating, "It’s a large-scale exercise. For the first time, we have introduced significant randomization and IT intervention. The districts have worked diligently, and we anticipate that the main goal—free, fair, and transparent elections—will surpass the standards of previous panchayat polls."
In a significant move to depoliticize grassroots governance, candidates running for ward member posts in gaon panchayats are not permitted to be sponsored by political parties and will not receive recognized party symbols. Instead, their individual character and appeal will play a critical role in their electoral success. However, candidates for zilla parishad and anchalik panchayat positions are free to be backed by recognized political parties and will appear on ballots with their respective party symbols.
As the first phase of these pivotal elections approaches, the spotlight is on Assames voters to make their voices heard, shaping the future of local governance in the region.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/phase-1-panchayat-polls-in-14-assam-dists-today/articleshow/120799731.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-05-01 22:31:00
