Guwahati, Apr 4 (ANI): An estimated 65 per cent of the electorate cast its votes in the first phase of assembly elections in 62 constituencies of Assam on Monday.
Around 60 to 70 per cent polling was reported from all the constituencies in Upper Assam, Barak Valley, the two hilly districts of North Cachar Hills, Karbi Anglong and Sonitpur district on the northern bank of Brahmaputra.
Hundred per cent polling was reported from two polling stations in the Naoboicha constituency, while the Dhakuakhana seat recorded a high 87 per cent.
Polling was boycotted in ten polling stations at Haflong by Indigenous People Forum, an umbrella organisation of Hmar, Kuki and Zeme Naga tribes, demanding bifurcation of North Cachar Hills district into two autonomous hills districts.
Earlier, there were reports of malfunctioning of electronic voting machines in some constituencies, which were immediately replaced, and voting continued uninterrupted
Four hundred and eighty five candidates, including 38 women, are in the fray for this phase. Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have fielded candidates in all the 62 constituencies, while Asom Gana Parishad is contesting 51 constituencies.
There are 157 independent candidates in the fray for this phase.
Among the prominent Congress leaders, whose fate were sealed in the ballot are incumbent Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi from Titabor, Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi (Margherita), Excise Minister Gautam Roy (Katlicherra), Culture Minister Bharat Narah (Dhakuakhana), Khor Sing Ingti (Howraghat) and Works Minister Ajanta Neog (Golaghat).
Prominent AGP leaders, who were in the fray in the first phase are Brindabon Goswami (Tezpur), Pradip Hazarika (Amguri) and Padma Hazarika (Sootea).
Monday's polling will also determine the fate of BJP leaders Ranjit Dutta (Bihali), Ranjan Das (Karimganj North), Parimal Sukalabaidya (Dholai), Kamakhya Tasa (Margherita) and Prasanta Phukan (Dibrugarh).
The second phase of elections will be held on April 11. Results are due on May 13. (ANI)
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