It's festival time in Asom poll day

Guwahati, Apr 3 (UNI) The situation in Asom seems to be changing for the better.

With the first phase of voting in the state for Assembly polls under way, the people are in a festive mood, exercising their ballot without fear.

Since 1985, all elections in the state have been held under the shadow of violence.

In the past two decades people were used to voting under fear and intimidation.

However, this time, in the first few hours nearly 25 per cent polling had been recorded.

''This is good fun and we must thank the Election Commission for that, '' said Mr Prakash Bhuyan, a retired engineer. He had brought his six-year-old grand daughter to show her the voting process.

Shops and business establishments as well eateries were open and a festive atmosphere is prevailing across the state.

For the last two decades, every polling day was an undeclared curfew and the movement was restricted between home and polling stations.

However, weather has played a spoilsport in and around Guwahati with rains but elsewhere in Barak valley or in Upper Asom, there is bright sunny weather.

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