First phase polling in Asom ends peacefully, 65 per cent votes polle

Guwahati, Apr 03 (UNI) In an unprecedented peaceful voting in Asom, over 65 per cent electorate today exercised their franchise to elect 65 members in the first phase of state Assembly elections.

The remaining 61 constituencies would go to polls in the second and final phase on April 10.

According to Election Commission's control room, the final figure of the poll percentage of the day might go up.

The political parties, however, attributed erratic weather condition and strict guidelines of the EC for I-card to ''low turnout'' of voters.

There was no report of violence, not even minor ones, from any part of the 65 constituencies that went to the polls. This is the first election, which has not been overshadowed by any sort of violence or boycott call from the militant groups.

Palasbari constituency, near Guwahati recorded the highest 76 per cent polling followed by Jonai and Dhemaji, which had about 72 per cent votes.

Over 92 lakh voters were expected to exercise their voting rights in 9,723 polling booths spread over 14 districts to elect representatives to 12th Assembly from 65 constituencies in the first phase.

Low polling was recorded in certain minority-dominated areas in Barak Valley and Central Asom. The voters were asked to produce any of the 23 documents as prescribed by the EC to identify themselves before casting votes.

Reports from different parts of the state suggested that upper Asom constituencies had maximum turnout although the urban area voters came up in lesser number in the early hours of polling.

The three districts of Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Majuli river island had recorded the maximum polling till afternoon. Majuli recorded the highest polling figure with 69 per cent vote. Turnout in urban centers such as Guwahati (Sadar), Jorhat and Silchar had been comparatively low.

The Barak valley also saw good turn out and in some constituencies like Lakhimpur had 60 per cent polling.

Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi cast his vote in DCB College polling booth at Jorhat town.

He was contesting from neighbouring Titabor constituency in the district.

Eds:- Pick up suitably from earlier series.

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