Polling passes off peacefully in Hailakandi election district

April 2: Polling for three LACs in Hailakandi election district on Thursday passed off peacefully amid tight security arrangements and strict COVID-19 regulations in place. The district witnessed a high voter turnout. As per ECI, 82.44% of the 4.97 lakh voters exercised their franchise.

The polling percentage is likely to increase as the State Election Commission is yet to release the final figures.
In the 2016 Assembly election, the district recorded 79.87% turnout. Despite the pandemic threat, voters turned out in large numbers and formed long queues outside polling booths in various parts of the district. The district recorded only 11.18% polling by 9 a.m due to inclement weather. The polling percentage rose to 51.51% and 78.08% by 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. respectively.

Polling was peaceful and incident-free, barring minor technical snags in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at 112 Anarpar LP School polling booth. The machines were promptly replaced and voting continued unabated.
Long queues, especially of women, were seen in most polling stations across all the three LACs of 6 Hailakandi, 7 Katlicherra and 8 Algapur. COVID-19 norms were largely followed with people wearing masks and maintaining a safe distance from each other.

Hand sanitisers were kept at the entrance and the exit gates of the booth. Thermal scanning of the voters were carried out before they entered the polling stations. The total number of 711 polling stations, including 55 auxiliary polling stations were sanitised prior to the polls. Elaborate security arrangements were made for the smooth conduct of elections. 24 companies of para military forces were deployed, besides Assam Police personnel and home guards. Security was beefed up at 57 polling booths which were identified as critical.

Of the nearly 4.97 lakh electors eligible to exercise the franchise, 2.59 lakh were male, 2.37 lakh female and four were categorised as third gender, according to data provided by the election authorities here. As many as 46 candidates are in the fray out of which 33 are independents. Status of polling percentage of Hailakandi Election District as per ECI:

Algapur – 82.63%
Hailakandi – 78.77%
Katlicherra – 85.59%