Counting of votes underway for Assam panchayat Elections

Amid tight security, Counting of votes is underway for two-phase Assam Panchayat Elections 2018.

Over 78,500 candidates are in a fray for 26,808 panchayat seats.

75 % of the voters exercised their franchise on Sunday in the second phase of panchayat polls in 10 districts of Assam.

The first phase of polling was held on December five in 16 districts. The voter turnout on December 5 was 81.5%. Polling was held in Nalbari, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Dhubri, South Salmara, Goalpara, Cachar, Hailakandi, Karimganj and Hojai to elect 169  zila parishad , 895 anchalik parishad, 895 gaon panchayats presidents and 8,950 gaon panchayat members.

All major parties including Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF), left parties have field their candidates.

According to reports, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken lead over the Congress and other parties. The party has reportedly bagged 481 Gram Panchayat Member (GPM) seats.