Guwahati, April 19 (UNI) Amid great enthusiasm, over 70.77 percent of voters exercised their democratic choice across five Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam on Friday.
Election officials said polling was peaceful in Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Kaziranga, Sonitpur, and Lakhimpur constituencies.
“From first-time voters to older citizens and specially-abled individuals, every eligible voter is turning out in force to make their voices heard at the polling stations. It's a celebration of inclusivity, empowerment, and the essence of democracy,” the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Assam, said in a post on X as polling was on.
“Over 70.77 percent of the voters exercised their franchise,” an election official said.
There were long queues before booths as polling started at 7 a.m. to seal the fate of 35 candidates, including that of Union Minister and BJP candidate Sarbananda Sonowal and Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi.
Though polling was formally over at 5 p.m., there were many voters still waiting for their chance to exercise their rights at the booths. The final polling percentage would go up, an official said.
During the day, 150 Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) malfunctioned and were replaced.
Among those who voted were Assam Pradesh Congress President Bhupen Borahi in Narayanpur and Gogoi in Jorhat.
The BJP put up candidates in all five seats, while the Congress was in the race in four, besides lending support to the Assam Jatiya Parishad contestant in one seat. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) nominated candidates in two seats, and the All India Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) in one each.
Among the star constituencies are Dibrugarh, where Sonowal is being challenged by the United Opposition Forum; Assam; candidate Lurinjyoti Gogoi of the AJP, and Aam Aadmi Party's Manoj Dhanowar.
Jorhat has four contestants, including Gogoi and sitting BJP MP Topon Gogoi.
Over 86 lakh voters were eligible to mark their choice in 10,001 polling booths.
Assam’s 14 Lok Sabha constituencies are going to the hustings in three phases. In round two, five seats will vote on April 26, while the remaining four will witness polling on May 7. UNI SSP AKS