Polling for second phase of Assam Panchayat elections begins

Polling for the second phase of Panchayat election in Assam has begun this morning, amidst tight security.

Guwahati, Jan 4 : Polling for the second phase of Panchayat election in Assam has begun this morning, amidst tight security.

The polling is underway in Sonitpur, Kamrup Metro, Kamrup Rural and parts of Barpeta, Morigaon and Nagaon districts of middle and lower Assam.

A total of 35, 26, 000 are expected to decide the fate of around 26,169 candidates, who are in the fray.

The polling is being held to elect representatives in 113 zilla parishad, 623 anchalik Parishad, 6,199 gaon panchayat member constituencies and 623 gaon panchayat presidents.

Tight security arrangements have been made in all the 6,273 polling booths to ensure free and fair elections.

The army and para-military forces have been deployed to keep eye on activities.

The State Election Commission (EC) has appointed 20 observers for the polling.

The State EC on Thursday has postponed Panchayat polls in the whole of Goalpara district which were scheduled for January 4 and 9.

The EC took the decision following Wednesday's police firing on a violent mob that claimed seven lives, besides wounding 20 in Lakhipur and Bhalukdubi areas of the district.

Re-polling in 37 booths where voting took place during the first phase of election in Upper Assam Districts on December 31, has now been fixed for January 8.

The third phase of Panchayat polls will be held on January 9 and the last phase on January 24.

Counting of votes will take place on January 28.

ANI