Counting begins for 126 assembly seats in Assam

GUWAHATI: Counting of votes for 126 assembly constituencies in Assam on Thursday began in 51 counting centres across the state amidst tight security.

Counting began at 8am to decide the fate of 1064 candidates in 51 counting centres comprising 143 counting halls and 1,771 counting tables.

The Election Commission of India has appointed 126 observers to oversee the counting and the entire process will be videographed.

A three-tier security ring has been deployed for the counting with the first ring of armed CRPF personnel around the counting hall, the second layer manned by armed state police and the final ring comprising the district police around the 100-metre periphery of the centre.

Prohibitory orders will be in force within 100 metre periphery of the counting centre.

Counting began first with the postal ballots and EVMs will be taken after that.

Among the 1064 candidates, Congress contested in 122 constituencies, BJP in 89 and its alliance partners AGP in 30 and BPF in 13, AIUDF in 74, while the remaining are from CPI, CPM, CPI(ML)(L), unrecognised parties and Independents.

Among the prominent candidates are chief minister Tarun Gogoi from Titabor, speaker of the outgoing Assembly Pranab Gogoi from Sibsagar, former Union Minister and prominent tea tribe leader Paban Singh Ghatowar of Congress from Moran, Union minister and BJP's chief minister candidate Sarbananda Sonowal from Majuli(ST), Jorhat LS MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa against Tarun Gogoi from Titabor and former Congress Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who joined the BJP after leading dissidence again Tarun Gogoi from Jalukbari.

AGP's prominent candidates are two-time former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta from Baharampur and its working president Atul Bora from Bokakkhat and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal from South Salmara.

Polling in Assam was held in two phases on April 4 and April 11.

The sale and stocking of firecrackers have been banned by the district authorities and no victory procession will be allowed without the permission of the district magistrate concerned.

Dry day has been declared by district authorities from 6am on Thursday to 6am on May 21.