About 70 per cent vote in third phase Panchayat polls in Assam

Guwahati, Jan 9 (UNI) About 70 per cent voting was recorded in the third phase of Panchayat elections in Assam today, officials sources said.

Polling was held amidst tight security, following clashes between rival political parties, especially in the run-up to this phase of polling.

State Election Commission sources informed that no major incident had been reported and repolling could be ordered in a few places depending on the report of the observers. Polling was held in Dhubri, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Nagaon, Cachar, Hailakandi, Karimganj and parts of Marigaon districts. The voters sealed the fate of 141 Zila Parishad members, 741 Anchalik Panchayat members and gaon panchayat presidents and 7410 panchayat members.

More than 42.65 lakh voters exercised their franchise to decide the fate of over 37,000 candidates in 7,480 polling stations. The state election commission had appointed 19 observers for this phase.

More than 70 per cent votes were polled in the first phase on December 31, while the percentage was around 72 in the second phase on January 4.

Polls in Darrang district will be held on January 24 and counting of votes for the entire state is slated for January 28.

Elections in Goalpara district were postponed in view of deteriorating law and order situation. Till date no decision had been taken on holding of the polls in the district.

UNI SG LL AM AS2010