Assam's Upcoming Assembly Elections Highlight Voting Challenges for Diaspora

Democracy in Assam: A Mixed Emotion

As Assam prepares for its 15th Assembly elections on April 9, a sense of celebration is palpable. However, many members of the Assamese community, both within India and abroad, experience a profound sense of longing.

Many have relocated for education and job opportunities, making it difficult for them to return home to vote.

This situation is not just a matter of numbers. With young voters making up a significant portion of the electorate (72.83 lakh), their absence underscores a larger issue related to accessibility, representation, and the realities of migration in a rapidly evolving society.

“Not being able to return home and vote often feels limiting, especially when you know that every single vote matters. Being unable to do so can feel like being excluded from shaping the future of a place that has shaped you,” expressed Akansha Khound, a resident of Mumbai.

Khound described her feelings as a mix of “pride, concern, and a sense of distance,” noting that living away has heightened her political awareness.

“Distance hasn’t meant disengagement. If anything, it has made many of us more vocal about what we want for Assam, better governance, stronger institutions, and policies that truly serve people,” she added.

Logistical Challenges for Outstation Voters

For many voters living away from home, the issue is not a lack of intent but rather the logistics involved. Bastab Tapan Bordoloi, a 24-year-old who recently moved from Jorhat to Mumbai, reminisced about the vibrant election atmosphere he experienced back home.

“There were discussions at home, conversations in the locality, elections were visible everywhere. Here, there is a disconnect,” he remarked.

Having participated in previous elections, Bordoloi feels that missing out this time equates to losing a role in the democratic process. “I know what it feels like to vote. So, when I can’t, it feels like I am missing out, even if it’s just one vote,” he stated.

Representative file image of voting through an Electronic Voting Machine (Photo: PTI)

Votes Lost to Distance

However, returning home is not as simple as it sounds. Many respondents pointed out that flights during the election period, which often coincides with Bihu, are exorbitantly priced, while train journeys can take over 50 hours one way.

Additionally, taking nearly a week off work, combined with ongoing airspace restrictions due to the West Asia conflict, makes the prospect impractical for numerous young professionals. “It’s not about willingness. It’s about how manageable it is in real life,” Bordoloi explained.

Financial and Physical Barriers

Echoing these sentiments, a social media user known as Khar_Singh shared his struggles on Meta, highlighting the financial and physical challenges of traveling home to vote.

In an Instagram video directed at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, he expressed his inability to vote this time due to the high travel costs and difficulties in securing train tickets.

He noted that for migrants with average salaries, booking flights during the election season could consume nearly one and a half months’ salary.

In a heartfelt appeal, he urged the government to arrange special train services from major cities to Assam during elections, emphasizing that many voters face similar challenges that often go unnoticed by those within the state.

In Bengaluru, Bhaswati Borthakur voiced a growing disconnect between voters and political discussions. “The election atmosphere often feels more theatrical than substantive,” she remarked, pointing out that large rallies and superficial rivalries overshadow real issues.

Long-standing Exclusion from Voting

For some, this exclusion is not a new phenomenon. Surangana Goswami, 23, has never voted despite being eligible for years. After moving to Bangalore for studies and work, she has consistently been away from her designated polling station.

“It’s a recurring feeling of missing out, what we call Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). Voting is the most direct way to express our opinion. Missing that repeatedly feels like losing a part of our civic responsibility,” she shared.

While many are aware of options like postal ballots, they highlight that these are limited to specific groups such as government officials and armed forces personnel, effectively excluding students and private sector workers.

“Even if such systems exist, they don’t really help someone like me. For us, voting still depends entirely on being physically present,” Bordoloi added.

Calls for Innovative Voting Solutions

File image of training ahead of elections in Assam's Margherita LAC (Photo: X)

Demand for Remote Voting

Many believe that the solution lies not in intent but in innovation. Respondents consistently called for more flexible voting options, such as authorized voting centers in other cities or secure remote voting systems.

“Even a basic option to vote from another city would help a lot,” suggested Bordoloi. Others were more direct in their demand for reform.

“I would prefer remote digital voting. It must ensure transparency, security, and that the vote reaches exactly where it should,” said Goswami, emphasizing the need for strict safeguards.

Borthakur supported the feasibility argument, stating, “With the digital infrastructure we have today, a secure remote voting system is very much possible.”

Trust remains a crucial factor. “I would be open to remote voting,” Bordoloi said, adding, “but only if security and transparency are properly handled.”

A Unified Voice for Change

Despite differing opinions on the method, the message from outstation voters is clear: the right to vote should not be limited by geography.

As Assam approaches another electoral cycle, thousands of young Assamese voters observe from a distance. Their voices are becoming increasingly prominent, not in protest, but in appeal. They are neither disengaged nor indifferent; they are simply unable to participate.