Assam Assembly Elections: Voter Enthusiasm Soars as Polling Takes Place
High Voter Turnout in Assam Assembly Elections
Guwahati: On Thursday, voters across Assam showed remarkable enthusiasm as they participated in the Assembly elections, hoping for a government that prioritizes development and progress.
The main political battle is between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. The ruling BJP aims for a third consecutive term, while Congress seeks to regain power after being out of office since 2016.
Polling commenced at 7 a.m. and will run until 5 p.m., with long lines forming outside polling stations from the early hours. The current term of the 126-member Assam Assembly is set to conclude on May 20.
Voting proceeded as planned, with security measures and administrative support in place to facilitate a smooth electoral process.
The BJP is striving to maintain its governance alongside its NDA partners, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma leading the campaign. He took over from Sarbananda Sonowal, who served from 2016 to 2021.
Conversely, Congress is attempting a comeback under the guidance of State Congress President Gaurav Gogoi, who leads a six-party coalition that includes the Raijor Dal and the Assam Jatiya Parishad.
The electorate consists of over 2.5 crore voters, with nearly equal representation of male and female voters, each around 1.25 crore, plus 318 transgender voters.
Notably, there are approximately 6.42 lakh first-time voters aged 18 to 19, highlighting a significant youth engagement in the electoral process.
First-time voters expressed excitement about their participation in democracy. A voter from Kamrup shared, "This is my first time voting, and I feel proud to support my community and advocate for societal development."
Another first-time voter from Dibrugarh remarked, "Voting for the first time in the Assembly elections feels empowering and strengthens our democracy."
In Jalukbari, a voter voiced support for the current administration, stating, "We desire progress in Assam. CM Sarma has accomplished much for us, and we hope for continued growth."
Similarly, a voter in Biswanath expressed satisfaction, saying, "I am thrilled to vote today. We want a secure and developed state, and I have voted with that in mind."
Polling is ongoing across all 126 Assembly constituencies, with vote counting scheduled for May 4, which will reveal the next government of Assam.