Assam News

TAC Polls 2020: Amri Karbi Students Union Boycott Polls

The Tiwa Autonomous Council (TAC) election for 35 of the 36 constituencies was held on Thursday. Voter turnout was recorded at 80 percent.

Sentinel Digital Desk

Sonapur: Even as a large number of people were seen queuing up outside the polling booths since early morning to cast their vote in the Tiwa Autonomous Council (TAC) elections 2020, the Amri Karbi Students Union, and six other organizations decided to boycott the Council elections, voting for which began at 7.30 AM on Thursday (December 17).

The Students Union and the six organizations have been protesting against the polls and today they stayed away from the voting process.

The students union members and their supporters blocked roads with trees in order to refrain people from reaching the polling booths while voting was on.

The Ampri polling booth wore a deserted look as there was hardly any voter. Only the polling officials and security personnel were seen waiting for voters to come.

A tragic incident took place during the Tiwa Council elections. A car of the security people who were on their way to provide security in the polling booths of Khetri met with an accident at Khetri-Markang road. However, no major injuries have been reported.

No incident of violence was reported from any place. The voter turnout was at 58 percent till 1.30 PM. It went up to 75 percent by 3.30 pm. Voting closed at 4.30 pm. By the end of voting, the poll percentage went up to 80%.

Voting for 35 constituencies was held in four districts of Assam - Morigaon, Nagaon, Hojai, and Kamrup (M) in as many as 410 polling booths abiding by all COVID-19 protocols.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) contested 35 seats. Its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) contested one seat. And Congress contested all the 36 seats. A total of 124 candidates are in the fray.

The counting of votes will take place on December 19.

After the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) polls, the TAC election is the second election being held in the state after the pandemic.