Guwahati: The north eastern states of India are abuzz with political fervour as they gear up for the first phase of polling, scheduled for April 19. This crucial phase will witness elections in Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and Nagaland, setting the stage for a democratic spectacle of monumental significance.
Assam
Assam, the largest state in the region, is poised for the electoral showdown, with five parliamentary constituencies (Kaziranga, Jorhat, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur and Dibruharh) of Upper Assam districts ready to cast their votes. A staggering 86.47 lakh voters, including a notable number of elderly citizens, are expected to exercise their franchise. The electoral battlefield features high-profile contests, notably Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s bid for reelection in the Dibrugarh parliamentary constituency against Luring Jyoti Gogoi of AJP, backed by Congress. In Jorhat parliamentary constituency, the fight is between sitting BJP MP Tapon Gogoi and Congress leader Gaurab Gogoi.
Manipur
In Manipur, polling personnel and security forces have been deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of elections for the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat. With BJP candidate Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh and Congress contender Angomcha Bimol Akoijam in the fray, over 9.37 lakh voters across the Imphal valley hold the power to shape the political landscape.
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is poised for its Assembly Election 2024 on April 19, 2024, with voting scheduled to take place in a single phase. This crucial election will see both Lok Sabha seats, Arunachal West and Arunachal East Parliamentary constituencies, along with 50 assembly seats, going to polls on the same day. A total of 8,92,694 voters, including 4,54,256 women, will play a pivotal role in determining the outcome, as they choose from among 133 candidates contesting for the assembly seats and 14 candidates vying for the Lok Sabha seats.
Among the contenders, 50 candidates have been fielded by the ruling BJP, 19 by the opposition Congress, 14 by the Nationalist Congress Party, 20 by the National People’s Party, and 11 by the People’s Party of Arunachal, with the remainder representing various local parties and independents. While 14 candidates are in the fray for the Lok Sabha seats, the spotlight is expected to be on the fierce battle between Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and state Congress president and former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki for the Arunachal West seat. Similarly, in the Arunachal East seat, the main contest is anticipated to be between the BJP’s sitting MP Tapir Gao and the Congress’ Bosiram Siram, a former minister.
Tripura
In Tripura, preparations are underway for the first phase of polling, with Tripura West constituency taking centre stage. Former Chief Minister Biplob Dev makes his Lok Sabha electoral debut as a BJP candidate, challenging Congress’ Ashish Kumar Saha. Stringent security measures have been put in place across the 1,685 polling booths to ensure free and fair elections. As many as 14.61 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the Tripura West seat. In the Tripura East seat, the number of voters is 13.95 lakh.
Meghalaya
Meghalaya is gearing up to vote for its two Lok Sabha seats, Shillong and Tura, in the first phase of polling on April 19. With a total of 22.27 lakh voters, the state stands out for its higher number of female voters, totaling 11.27 lakh compared to 11 lakh male voters. Reflecting this demographic trend, the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) has nominated two women candidates from both constituencies.
Notably, the sitting Tura MP and the Chief Minister’s sister, Agatha Sangma, will be seeking re-election, adding to the significance of the electoral contest. In Shillong, cabinet minister Ampareen Lyngdoh is set to contest from the Lok Sabha seat against Vincent Pala of the Congress party, promising an engaging electoral battle that will shape the political landscape of the state.
Sikkim
Sikkim witnesses a triangular contest with BJP, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), and Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) locking horns in the assembly elections. With 32 assembly seats and one Lok Sabha seat up for grabs, the state braces for a decisive electoral showdown. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 2 for assembly seats and June 4 for the lone Lok Sabha seat.
Nagaland
Lastly, Nagaland gears up for the lone Lok Sabha seat election, featuring a three-way contest among Congress nominee S Supongmeren Jamir, ruling NDPP’s Dr. Chumben Murry, and Independent Hayithung Tungoe Lotha. Heightened security measures have been put in place to ensure a smooth polling process, with over 13.17 lakh eligible voters set to cast their ballots.
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