Over six lakh new voters in Assam poll

The forthcoming assembly elections in Assam will have see a total of 1.98 crore voters including six lakh new or first-time voters exercise their right to franchise, an election official said on Friday.

Assam's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vijendra said there are a total of a total of 1,98,66,496 voters in the state according to the electoral rolls published on January 11 this year and out of this, 6,00,076 voters are new voters, within the age group of 18 years to 19 years.

"A total of 58 percent of Assam's total population are enrolled as voters. Besides, 30 percent of the total electorate in Assam are below 30 years of age ," he said adding that a total of 93.60 percent of the voters are provided with Electorates Photo Identity Card (EPIC).

Vijendra further said that the two phased elections in Assam will be conducted with the help of a total of over 2,20,000 personnel, which includes 60,000 security personnel. "This 60,000 security personnel includes Assam Police, and the central para military forces which is going to arrive in the state soon," he said.

"The polls will be conducted in 24,888 polling stations across the state. While the first phase of polling will be conducted in 12,190 polling stations, polls will be conducted in 12,698 polling stations in the second phase of polling," he said.

According to the CEO, 7,629 have been identified as sensitive polling stations followed by another 3,663 identified as hyper-sensitive booths.

"The ECI has also decided to arrange for video recording in 2,549 polling stations on the polling day and 865 polling stations across the state will be covered through live web casting on the polling day. Besides, there will also be video surveillance teams in each constituencies for smooth conduction of the polls," Vijendra said.

He said that there will be 76 general observers for the poll in Assam followed by 46 expenditure observer, who will monitor the expenditure of the candidates.

"There are a total of 1,36,448 doubtful voters in Assam. Their names are included in the electoral rolls but they cannot cast their votes," Vijendra said. D voters are the voters whose citizenship credentials are doubtful in Assam.