Guwahati, April 8 (NationPress) Assam is gearing up for a thrilling electoral showdown on Thursday, as voting takes place across all 126 Assembly seats. This election is shaping up to be a direct contest predominantly between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led opposition coalition.

The incumbent BJP, under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, aims to clinch a third consecutive term, while the Congress is striving to regain its foothold after losing power in 2016. Official statistics reveal that a total of 722 candidates are competing in this electoral battle.

Key figures in this election include Sarma, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi, and Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi.

Polling will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 31,490 polling stations across 35 districts. The voter base includes approximately 2.50 crore eligible individuals, featuring nearly 1.25 crore women and 318 voters from the third gender category.

Among the political parties, the Congress has nominated the highest number of candidates at 99, followed closely by the BJP with 90.

The AIUDF is contesting for 30 seats, while NDA partners Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) are fielding 26 and 11 candidates, respectively. Other parties involved include Raijor Dal (13), AJP (10), CPI(M) (3), APHLC (2), AAP (18), UPPL (18), TMC (22), and JMM (16), alongside 258 Independent candidates.

The constituencies of Algapur-Katlicherra and Karimganj South have the most candidates, with 15 each. In contrast, nine seats—Rangia, Jagiroad (SC), Hojai, Naduar, Jonai (ST), Doomdooma, Mahmora, Teok, and Lakhipur—are facing straightforward contests with only two candidates each.

Out of the total candidates, 59 are women, with Congress fielding the highest number at 14, followed by the BJP with 7.

Several notable contests are capturing significant attention.

In Jalukbari, Sarma seeks his sixth consecutive win against Congress's Bidisha Neog. In Jorhat, Gaurav Gogoi makes his Assembly debut against BJP’s Hitendranath Goswami.

Debabrata Saikia is vying to hold onto his stronghold in Nazira against BJP’s Mayur Borgohain. Meanwhile, Tamulpur in the Bodoland Territorial Region features a direct competition between UPPL chief Pramod Boro and opponents.

Other significant candidates include Badruddin Ajmal in Binnakandi, Akhil Gogoi in Sibsagar, Lurinjyoti Gogoi in Khowang, AGP president Atul Bora in Bokakhat, and Minister Keshav Mahanta in Kaliabor.

Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel mentioned that webcasting facilities will be available at all polling stations for real-time monitoring.

Robust security measures have been implemented, with the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces, including CRPF personnel, to ensure peaceful voting.

The voter demographic includes around 6.42 lakh first-time voters, 2.50 lakh senior citizens aged 80 and above—including 2,466 centenarians—and approximately 2.05 lakh individuals with disabilities, highlighting the scale and inclusiveness of this electoral process.