When Will the Second Phase of Panchayat Polls in Assam Take Place?

Guwahati, May 6 (NationPress) The upcoming second phase of the Panchayat elections is scheduled for tomorrow in Assam, covering 13 districts in the central and western regions of the state.

An electoral official announced that voting is set to occur at 12,130 polling booths from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Approximately 91.31 lakh voters are eligible to participate, which includes 46.30 lakh men, 44.99 lakh women, and 251 individuals in the ‘others’ category.

The districts involved in this phase are: Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Bajali, Nalbari, Kamrup, Kamrup (Metro), Hojai, Nagaon, Morigaon, and Darrang.

Voting will occur from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with potential repolling on May 9. Results for both phases are expected to be announced on May 11.

According to the election official, a total of 91,31,127 voters will cast their votes in this second phase, comprising 46,30,924 men, 44,99,952 women, and 251 others, along with 29,608 candidates competing.

Thus far, 1,289 candidates, including 21 Zila Parishad (ZP), 151 Anchalik Parishad (AP), and 1,117 Gaon Panchayat (GP) members, have been elected unopposed.

This phase includes 181 ZP, 87 AP, and 10,530 GP constituencies; preparations in Kamrup district have been finalized.

District Commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra stated that logistical and security measures are in place, with election materials being dispatched at 7 AM on May 6 from the Integrated DC Office and Dakshin Kamrup College in Mirza.

In Kamrup, out of 1,333 polling stations (excluding Rangia), voting will be conducted at 1,274 due to 59 uncontested results, including 44 women-only polling stations. A total of 5,096 officials, including 1,274 presiding officers, have been trained and deployed.

Among the 36 candidates in Kamrup’s 14 ZP constituencies, 17 are women. The district has 10,22,061 registered voters - 5,09,333 men, 5,12,698 women, and 30 others.

After polling, ballot boxes will be secured at Dakshin Kamrup Girls' College in Mirza and strong rooms at the old DC office in Amingaon. 29,608 candidates are contesting for 181 Zila Parishad seats, 87 Anchalik Parishads, and 10,530 Gaon Panchayat wards.

District Commissioner Mishra mentioned that 1,289 candidates have already been elected unopposed, comprising 21 ZP members, 151 AP members, and 1,117 GP ward members.

Following scattered incidents during the May 2 first phase, the Assam State Election Commission (SEC) has scheduled repolling at 44 booths across five districts on May 4.

The first phase, which took place in 14 districts such as Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, and Sivasagar, recorded a voter turnout of 70.19 percent. This marks the first local election after constituency delimitation, with Panchayat elections occurring in 28 districts excluding seven under the Sixth Schedule autonomous councils.

Vote counting for both phases is set for May 11. The first phase saw voting in districts including Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, and Jorhat.

The outcome of this second phase is anticipated to significantly influence the political dynamics of rural Assam.

The Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, led the BJP campaign, emphasizing welfare initiatives launched during his four-year term, particularly those aimed at women, youth, and marginalized groups.

He asserted the state's commitment to combat child marriage and drug abuse, reporting positive outcomes.

The Chief Minister criticized past Congress administrations, claiming they engaged in superficial appeasement rather than genuine empowerment.

The BJP's campaign received further support from Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and state BJP president Dilip Saikia.

Conversely, the Congress, under the leadership of Debabrata Saikia, accused the BJP of neglecting pressing concerns like unemployment and rising prices.

Congress leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi and Bhupen Kumar Borah, assured rural development while accusing Sarma of distracting from governmental failures.