Guwahati, April 8 – Assam is set to witness a high-stakes election on Thursday, with polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies. The contest is largely shaping up as a direct battle between the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress-led opposition alliance.
The ruling BJP, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is aiming to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress is attempting to regain power after being voted out in 2016. According to official data, a total of 722 candidates are in the fray.
Key contenders include Sarma, Gaurav Gogoi, President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, Debabrata Saikia, Leader of the Opposition, Badruddin Ajmal, Chief of the Asom Regional Party (ARPA), Akhil Gogoi, leader of Raijor Dal, and Lurinjyoti Gogoi, President of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP).
Polling will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 31,490 polling stations spread across 35 districts. The electorate consists of approximately 2.50 crore eligible voters, including nearly 1.25 crore women and 318 voters from the third gender category.
Among political parties, the Congress has fielded the highest number of candidates (99), followed by the BJP with 90.
The Asom Regional Party (ARPA) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) have fielded 30 and 26 candidates, respectively. Other parties in the fray include Raijor Dal (13), AJP (10), CPI(M) (3), APHLC (2), AAP (18), UPPL (18), TMC (22), and JMM (16), in addition to 258 independent candidates.
The constituencies of Algapur-Katlicherra and Karimganj South have the highest number of candidates (15 each). In contrast, nine constituencies – Rangia, Jagiroad (SC), Hojai, Naduar, Jonai (ST), Doomdooma, Mahmora, Teok, and Lakhipur – are witnessing straight contests with only two candidates each.
Of the total contestants, 59 are women, with the Congress fielding the highest number (14), followed by the BJP with 7.
Several key contests have drawn significant attention.
In Jalukbari, Sarma is seeking his sixth consecutive victory against Congress candidate Bidisha Neog. In Jorhat, Gaurav Gogoi is making his Assembly debut against the BJP’s Hitendranath Goswami.
In Nazira, Debabrata Saikia is attempting to retain his stronghold against BJP’s Mayur Borgohain. Meanwhile, Tamulpur in the Bodoland Territorial Region is set for a direct contest pitting UPPL chief Pramod Boro against rival candidates.
Other notable candidates include Badruddin Ajmal in Binnakandi, Akhil Gogoi in Sibsagar, Lurinjyoti Gogoi in Khowang, AGP president Atul Bora in Bokakhat, and Minister Keshav Mahanta in Kaliabor.
Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel said that webcasting facilities have been arranged at all polling stations to ensure real-time monitoring.
Adequate security arrangements have also been put in place, with the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces, including CRPF personnel, to ensure peaceful polling.
The electorate includes approximately 6.42 lakh first-time voters, 2.50 lakh senior citizens aged 80 and above (including 2,466 centenarians), and approximately 2.05 lakh persons with disabilities, underscoring the scale and inclusiveness of the electoral exercise.