Countdown to elections begins as full bench of ECI lands in Guwahati

Guwahati: The full bench of the Election Commission of India (ECI) led by chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar arrived in Guwahati on Monday for a three-day review of poll preparedness, setting the tone for the electoral battle ahead.

Elections to the 126-member assembly are expected in March-April, with the current term ending May 20.


BJP, which has governed the state since 2016, is seeking to consolidate its “double-engine” pitch with a third straight victory, while Congress and regional outfits are attempting to regroup amid shifting alliances.

For the party in governance, the emphasis will be on showcasing development and stability, while the opposition is likely to highlight governance, identity, and regional aspirations.

The delegation, which includes election commissioners Dr SS Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi, senior deputy election commissioners Manish Garg and Dr Pawan Kumar Sharma, principal secretary Ashish Goel, advisor NN Butolia, and director Vidyarani Kanthoujam, was received at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport by state chief electoral officer Anurag Goel.

“ECI delegation led by #CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar and ECs Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi arrives in #Guwahati today to review poll preparedness for forthcoming #Assam Assembly Elections,” the Commission posted on X.

On Tuesday, the poll panel will meet representatives of national and state-level political parties. It will also hold a review meeting with the Director General of Police, regional DIGs, district election officers, deputy commissioners, and senior superintendents of police to assess security and logistical arrangements.

The next day, the ECI delegation will meet the state’s chief secretary, DGP, enforcement agency nodal officers, the chief electoral officer, state police nodal officer, CAPF nodal officer, and senior officials from relevant departments. Later that day, the team will address a press conference and interact with booth-level officers.