Assam records 12 percent polling in first two hours

Around 12 percent voting was recorded in the first two hours on Monday in the first phase of Assam assembly election for 65 constituencies, said a election commission official.

"We have recorded 12 percent polling till 9.00 a.m. and the polling remained peaceful. There were some snags in some EVMs (electronic voting machines) in some areas but those were sorted out immediately," Additional Chief Election Officer Nitin Khade told IANS.

People were seen queuing up in front of polling stations since morning to exercise their democratic right.

Voting is taking place in 12,190 polling stations spread across 17 revenue districts of the state located mainly in Upper Assam, north bank of river Brahmaputra and in Barak Valley.

A total of 95,11,732 voters, including 45,95,712 females, will decide the fate of 539 candidates, including Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in Titabar constituency and Bharatiya Janata Party's chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal in Majuli.

Out of total 12,190 polling stations in the first phase, 78 are 'all women' polling stations run by only female officials.

Besides, there are 134 'model' polling stations, which have the facilities of medical team, eatery, felicitation of eldest voter in traditional manner and getting a tree planted by the eldest voter.

Free toffies will also be given to children accompanying their mothers in these model polling stations.

Assam BJP president and chief ministerial candidate in Assam Sarbananda Sonowal said the party will win majority of the seats that are going to polls in the first phase.

"We can see that people are craving for a change in the state and I hope they will vote for us for a change," Sonowal told reporters at a polling station at Gormur in Majuli.