Guwahati: Assam soared to new heights in democratic participation as it recorded a historic voting percentage in the third phase of the Lok Sabha Election 2024. According to the Election Commission, the turnout surpassed expectations, with over 75 percent of eligible voters exercising their franchise across the four parliamentary seats (Guwahati, Barpeta, Kokrajhar (ST), Dhubri) where elections were held on May 7. Minority dominated Dhubri constituency recorded the highest polling percentage at 79.70, followed by Barpeta at 76.20, Kokrajhar at 74.24 and Guwahati at 67.68 per cent, the lowest till 5 PM. Officials anticipate a slight increase in turnout figures following final counting procedures. Despite rain and bad weather, huge numbers of people turned out to cast their electoral rights.
The smooth conduct of elections in Assam marks the culmination of a peaceful electoral process in the Northeast region. Despite the year long conflict in Manipur, elections in the state transpired without significant disruptions, barring a few isolated incidents in both the seats. The successful completion of polling across the four seats in Assam on May 7th further underscores the region’s commitment to democratic principles.
Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, commended the peaceful conduct of the third phase of Lok Sabha elections, highlighting the absence of violence or disturbances throughout the state. Speaking after casting his vote in a newly delimited constituency in Assam, CM Sarma expressed confidence in the electoral prospects of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its alliance partners, predicting a resounding victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the ongoing election.
Accompanied by his family, CM Sarma cast his vote at the Amingaon centre in Guwahati, emphasising the region’s collective aspiration for progress and development. He asserted that the electorate’s overwhelming support for the BJP and its allies reflects a mandate for transformative change in the region. CM Sarma also hailed the pivotal role of Eastern India and the northeastern states in shaping the electoral outcome, foreseeing a landslide victory for Prime Minister Modi.
In a light-hearted moment, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed his departure from his usual allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ‘Lotus’ symbol. Despite his longstanding association with the BJP’s electoral symbol, CM Sarma opted to cast his vote for a different symbol in the wake of delimitation. With his constituency now falling under Barpeta, CM Sarma was compelled to endorse the electoral symbol of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), an alliance partner of the BJP-NDA coalition.
As Assam celebrates its democratic fervour and commitment to electoral integrity, the nation awaits the final outcome of the Lok Sabha Election 2024 with bated breath, anticipating the dawn of a new era in Indian politics.
The Lok Sabha Election 2024 was held in the Northeast in 3 phases. Elections in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland, and Meghalaya were held in the 1st phase on April 19. Assembly elections in Arunachal and Sikkim were also held simultaneously on the same date. The elections in Tripura and Manipur were held in 2 phases on April 19 and April 26. Whereas elections for 14 seats in 3 phases which concluded on 7th May.
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