Counting of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections today

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Counting of votes of the high-voltage BTC (Bodoland Territorial Council) elections will be held on Saturday to decide the fates of 241 candidates who contested the polls for the 40 constituencies across the BTR (Bodoland Territorial Region).

The much-awaited counting will also decide the political future of the BPF (Bodoland People's Front) ruling the BTC since its formation as the party is faced with tough contest from the BJP and the UPPL (United People's Party Liberal). The counting of ballot papers will start from 8 am on Saturday.

Talking to The Sentinel, Secretary of the Assam State Election Commission, Pranjit Gogoi said the administrations of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri districts have made all arrangements for smooth and peaceful conduct of counting of votes. He said the Assam Police has made adequate security arrangements in and around the counting the centres. The results of counting of ballot papers will start emerging from Saturday. In some constituencies the results will be delayed as there will be ten rounds of counting.

Meanwhile, re-polling at Srirampur High School (36 polling station right side) under Srirampur constituency was held on Friday. Bora said the re-polling was conducted peacefully and with the today's re-polling the total turnout in the both phases of BTC elections touched 79 per cent. The second and last phase of the BTC elections concluded in the 19 constituencies across Kokrajhar and Chirang districts on Thursday.

Altogether 241 candidates contested in both the phases of elections to the 40 constituencies across the BTR (Bodoland Territorial Region) under the BTC (Bodoland Territorial Council).

In the first phase, 130 candidates contested. The second and last phase of the BTC polls sealed the political fate of 111 candidates.

The BTC was constituted in 2003. An 'Interim Council' nominated by the State government ruled the Council for the initial two years till 2005.

The present two-phase election is the fourth one with the earlier three polls here held in 2005, 2010, and 2015.

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