The Aryavarth Express:
Guwahati (Assam), April 9: International delegates participating in the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) visited multiple polling stations across Assam on Thursday, commending the smooth and large-scale conduct of voting in the ongoing Assembly elections.
The Election Commission of India (ECI), in a post on X, highlighted that the delegates were impressed by the meticulous organisation and scale of the electoral process. Describing the polls as a “festival of democracy,” the Commission noted that the visitors witnessed voters enthusiastically exercising their franchise from early morning hours.
Polling is being held for all 126 Assembly constituencies in a single phase, with vote counting scheduled for May 4.
The election is witnessing a keen contest between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the opposition alliance headed by the Indian National Congress, which includes parties like Raijor Dal and CPI(M). The NDA is aiming for a third consecutive term, while the opposition seeks to regain ground in the state.
Assam has over 2.5 crore eligible voters, including more than 6.4 lakh first-time voters aged 18–19. The electorate also includes over 2.5 lakh senior citizens (above 80 years) and more than 2 lakh persons with disabilities, along with 318 transgender voters and 63,423 service voters.
A total of 722 candidates are contesting the elections. To ensure smooth polling, authorities have deployed 1.51 lakh polling personnel and arranged tens of thousands of electronic voting machines, including Ballot Units, Control Units, and VVPATs.
Security has been tightened with the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), particularly in sensitive areas where micro-observers have also been stationed.
In the previous 2021 Assembly elections, the NDA secured 75 seats, with the BJP alone winning 60. The Congress-led alliance had a significantly weaker performance, managing just 16 seats.
With high voter turnout expected and strong security arrangements in place, Assam’s electoral process is being closely watched both domestically and internationally.
