Lok Sabha elections: Over 50% polling in Assam, policeman killed

A mob attacked a polling station in Assam's Kokrajhar district killing a policeman even as over 50% balloting was recorded in the last six Lok Sabha constituencies in the state that went to the polls Thursday.

Election officials said 52.78% polling was recorded till 1 pm in Guwahati, Barpeta, Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Nowgong and Barpeta.

Mangaldai recorded the highest polling with 54.7% while Barpeta recorded the lowest with 48.72%.

Long queues were seen at many polling stations.

In Kokrajhar, some voters attacked security personnel at a polling station after rumours about the malfunctioning of the electronic voting machines (EVMs).

As police tried to bring the situation under control, the mob attacked security personnel leading to the death of a police constable and injuries to another two.

The mob also snatched two firearms from the police personnel there.

"There were some reports of stray incidents of violence in some areas. In some polling stations, balloting was cancelled after the violence. The Election Commission might go for repoll in those constituencies," said Assam chief electoral officer Vijayendra.

Polling for eight Lok Sabha seats has already been completed in two phases.

The first phase recorded over 78% polling while the second phase saw a turnout of over 75%.

Over 9.4 million voters are eligible to cast their votes in 11,998 polling stations across the six Lok Sabha constituencies.