Massive turnout in first phase of BTC polls amidst COVID-19 pandemic

* 77% votes cast, the figure might increase: ASEC

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The first phase of the high-voltage BTC elections held on Monday, recorded a massive turnout amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Assam State Election Commission (ASEC), the total turnout in the first phase of the elections was approximately 77 per cent (till the filing of this news report at 9 pm on Monday). The total voting percentage might marginally increase as many polling personnel are still returning and the actual figure will be clearer by Tuesday.

The elections were held in 21 constituencies spreading across Udalguri and Baksa districts on Monday. While 11 constituencies fall under Udalguri district, 10 are in Baksa district.

ASEC Secretary Pranjit Gogoi told The Sentinel on Monday evening that the polling was peaceful and there were no report of any untoward incident. He also said that the Commission had not received any report necessitating repolling from any of the polling station.

On other hand, different political parties have started claiming victory in the first phase of the BTC elections.

Bodo Peoples' Front (BPF) president Hagrama Mohilary has claimed that his party would win at least 16 seats in Udalguri and Baksa districts.

State Cabinet Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the massive turnout in the elections indicates that the people are looking for change. He said that the BJP will win 15 to 16 seats in the first phase of the BTC poll.

United Peoples' Party Liberal (UPPL) president Pramod Boro said that the people of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) are with his party. He claimed that the masses are looking for an end of the rule by Hagrama Mohilary.

The BTC elections were originally scheduled to be held on April 4, 2020. But the ASEC deferred the elections on March 20 following outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second and final phase of the BTC elections will be held on December 10 in Chirang and Kokrajhar districts. The counting of votes will be conducted from 8 am on December 12.

The BTC elections turned high-voltage after the BJP went head on against the ruling BPF in Bodoland Territorial Council. Interestingly, the BPF is a coalition partner in the ruling BJP-led government in Dispur. The Congress and the AIUDF have termed the BTC elections as the semi-final before the 2021 Assembly elections in the State. The last BTC elections were held in 2015.

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