Polling begins for second phase of Assam polls

Polling began on a brisk note for the second and last phase of Assam assembly elections today amid tight security.

Long queues were seen at polling stations spread across 64 constituencies in 14 central and lower Assam districts much before voting began at 7 am as a bright day greeted the people.

There was no report of any untoward incident.

A total of 96,77,113 electorate will decide the fate of 596 candidates, including two-time former chief minister and opposition leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president Chandra Mohan Patowary and senior ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and Rockybul Hussain.

Security has been tightened in sensitive Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) area in lower Assam and in Indo-Bhutan and Assam-Meghalaya border, official sources said.

Peaceful polling for 62 assembly seats was held in the first phase on April 4 which recorded a high voter turnout of nearly 74%.