BREAKING: Assam Polls to be held in 3 phases before Rongali Bihu; Counting on May 2

GUWAHATI: Keeping aside all apprehensions of state assembly polls may coincide with Assam’s most awaited Rongali Bihu celebration during mid-April, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday announced the dates of polls in the state starting on March 27 and ending on April 6, almost a week before the festivities.

Elections in the state for the total 126 assembly seats will be held in three phases on March 27, April 1 and April 6, said Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora.

While on the first phase on March 27, a total of 47 constituencies in Assam will go for votes; 39 constituencies will go for polls on April 1 and the remaining 40 will vote on April 6.

The ECI said that the dates were fixed keeping the festivities in mind. Earlier during their visit to the state to assess the ground situation also, all political parties requested the ECI delegation to keep Bihu festivities in mind while announcing the dates for the polls.

Arora said that keeping the prevailing Covid 19 pandemic situation in the country, there will be some 32,000 polling stations in Assam for the coming poll, a 34% increase from the 2016 poll.

Postal Ballot has been extended to voters above 80 years, people with disabilities and people involved in essential services.

The ECI has also restricted door-to-door campaigning of the political parties to five persons including the candidate. However, roadshows were allowed.

Besides Assam, poll dates were also announced for other states of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry were also declared. Puducherry is currently under the President’s rule.

Counting of the votes will be done May 2.

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