EC full team in Assam to assess poll preparedness

The full team of the Election Commission led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi arrived in Assam on Monday to assess the preparedness ahead of next year's legislative assembly elections.

Zaidi, accompanied by the two Election Commissioners A.K. Joti and O.P. Rawat, met leaders of various political parties.

Most of the parties in the state appealed to the poll panel to hold the elections before Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu, the most popular and colourful festival of Assam celebrated in mid-April.

"We met the Election Commission full bench today (Monday) and requested them to hold the elections before Rongali Bihu. We also appealed to them to hold the election in two phases," said Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) general secretary Durga Das Boro.

Leaders from other political parties -- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) -- also met the poll panel team.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), however, appealed to the commission to hold the elections after Rongali Bihu so that people can enjoy their favourite festival.