Guwahati( Assam), April 6 : The third and last phase of the state election in Assam which is underway amidst tight security in 40 constituencies spread across 12 districts on Tuesday is largely peaceful despite sporadic incidents of violence and disturbances in some areas.
There were reports of a clash between two groups of people over some issues at a polling station at Dighaltari lower primary school at Golakganj. Police resorted to lathi charge and firing in the air to control the situation but none was injured.
The polling at the booth was stopped for a brief period and resumed soon.
At a booth at Gutipara in Bilasipara West constituency security personnel were attacked by a group of people over distribution of free masks. Here too the police resorted to lathicharge when the attackers threw stones at the polling station.
As a result voting at the polling station was interrupted for about half-an-hour but later resumed normally.
In a polling booth in Bongaigaon, there was lathi charge by the police when a huge crowd arrived, an official of the force said.
Another polling station in the same constituency witnessed commotion when the presiding officer went to help a differently abled person to cast his vote. The situation was brought under control immediately by the police, an election official said.
In another incident police detained at least two persons from a polling booth at Kamrup Academy Higher Secondary School in Guwahati for allegedly distributing inside it BJP pamphlets carrying minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya’s pictures.
Around 10 people have been detained from different constituencies where voting is on, officials said.
EVM malfunctioning was reported in several polling centers and voting in them resumed after the machines were replaced.
Voters wearing masks were seen queuing outside the polling booths. In some places they maintained the stipulated physical distance by standing in marked circles. Voters of all the four constituencies in Guwahati city were seen abiding by the coronavirus precautions.
However, most of the voters in rural areas were seen huddling in groups. Those who did not have masks were provided with them, besides disposable plastic gloves before the voterswere allowed to enter the polling booths.
The first voters at the polling centres were greeted with saplings and the senior citizens with ‘gamosas’ (traditional Assamese scarf).
BJP ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chandra Mohan Patowary, Siddhartha Bhattacharya and Phani Bhusan Choudhury, who are in the fray in this phase, exercised their franchise in the morning hours.
BPF ministers Chandan Brahma and Pramila Rani Brahma also cast their votes as did BPL chief Hagrama Mohilary,, BJP state chief Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Congress leader Ratul Patowary and state election ambassador and actor Kopil Bora.
Arrangement for wheelchairs and e-rickshaws have been made at many booths for the convenience of senior citizens and physically challenged voters.
In a celebration of the festival of democracy many model polling stations have been decorated with recyclable items, art installations made with bottles and plastic wrappers.
Many others have children’s play zone, seating lounge and selfie zones. Many of them also have seating areas in rainbow shades, themed on inclusivity and LGBTQ rights.
Some of the voting centers are decorated to represent the cultural diversity of the state. Ethnic fabric and handicraft items are on display and mannequins draped in tribal attires are placed in the selfie zones.
The Assamese festival of Bihu, which is just 10 days away, is a popular theme in several polling booths. Arched gates and seating areas with colourful chairs are imparting the polling centers a festive look.
At a polling station at Goalpara, women polling personnel wore identical mekhela and chador — an Assamese traditional attire.
Our Kokrajhar Bureau adds :Nearly 83% percent poll was recorded in all the three constituencies of Kokrajhar district during the third phase election held on Tuesday.
The polling started at 7 am in the morning across the three assembly constituencies including Kokrajhar East, Kokrajhar West and Gossaigaon constituency in the district of Kokrajhar.
A strong security vigil was seen in all polling stations across the district where a free and fair held in the four districts of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).
Peoples cutting across the communities come forward to exercise their franchise from morning and accordingly the poll percentage was saw high turn out .
Till 7.53 pm of the polling, 82% percent poll was recorded in Kokrajhar East constituency.
In Kokrajhar West constituency 84.21% percent poll was recorded and Gossaigaon assembly recorded 83.01% till 7.53 pm in the evening.
A person received a serious injuries at an incident held at Mozabari near Simbargaon under Kokrajhar East constituency.
The person was identified as Hasmot Ali,(36) of Mozabari village.He has been admitted to Kokrajhar RNB civil hospital.
A total five candidates contested the assembly elections in Kokrajhar East constituency, including Pramila Rani Brahma (BPF), Lawrence Islary (UPPL), Manaj Kumar Brahma (IND), Sailendra Nath Brahma (IND) and Mijink Brahma (IND).
However , in Kokrajhar East constituency the main contest is between BPF candidate Pramila Rani Brahma and UPPL candidate Lawrence Islary.
A total 183994 voters (male 90475 & 92416 female) voters exercised their franchise in 282 polling stations on Tuesday.
A total seven candidates are contesting in the Kokrajhar West constituency including Rabiram Narzary (BPF), Manaranjan Brahma (UPPL).
In Gossaigaon constituency, a total 6 candidates contested the assembly elections, including Majendra Narzary (BPF), Somnath Narzary (UPPL).
A total 191069 voters (male 96933 & females 91848) cast their votes in 279 polling stations across the constituency.
UPPL candidate for Kokrajhar West constituency Manaranjan Brahma cast his vote at Serfanguri ME school polling centre in the early morning.
Brahma reached at the polling centre along with his wife and noted Bodo cinema actor Riya Brahma.
Brahma is hopeful of winning the Kokrajhar West constituency. He said that UPPL is winning in all contesting constituencies.
UPPL candidate for Chapaguri LAC and ex MP UG Brahma cast his vote at Chalani Batabari LP school polling centre under Kokrajhar West constituency.
Brahma reached at the polling station along with his wife in the early morning.
He said that UPPL BJP alliance parties are winning majority seats across the state to form government.
” There is no impact of Congress led Mahajoth in the state”, Brahma said.
UPPL candidate for Kokrajhar East constituency Lawrence Islary cast his vote at Gaurang High School polling station in the morning.
He said that his candidature is getting last laugh from the constituency as people from all sections voted in his favour .
BPF chief and former BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary cast his vote at Debargaon HS school polling centre under Kokrajhar East constituency.
Mohilary said that Mahajoth is getting majority seats across the state to form the government.He said that BPF party candidates are winning in all contesting constituencies across the BTR districts.
BPF candidate and Assam Social welfare minister Pramila Rani Brahma cast her vote at Vidyapith LP school in Kokrajhar town in the early morning.
She was accompanied by her party supporters and followers.
She said that she is getting massive supports from all communities across the constituency.
She has alleged that UPPL distributed money to attract the common voters in the assembly elections.
UPPL president and BTR CEM Pramod Boro has congratulated citizens of BTR for participating in the assembly elections in a free and fair atmosphere .
He said that NDA alliance parties are winning majority seats across the state to form government in her state.
” We are very hopeful that all contesting candidates are winning across the four districts of BTR.People have voted in favour of UPPL candidates for parivartan and massive development among the society”, Boro said.
He has said that the Mahajoth cannot win any seat in the assembly segments in the BTR districts.
He said that NDA alliance candidates are getting huge response as well support cutting across the communities in the election.
BJP leader and MLA Ashok Singhal has also claimed that NDA candidates are getting last laugh from all the assembly constituencies in BTR districts.
