Assam’s State Election Commission reported a robust 79.23% voter turnout in the second and final phase of panchayat elections held on May 7, marking a successful conclusion to the rural polls across the northeastern state.
The final phase of voting covered 13 districts including Dhubri, South Salmara Mankachar, Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Bajali, Nalbari, Kamrup, Kamrup (Metro), Hojai, Nagaon, Morigaon, and Darrang. This turnout represents a significant increase from the 70.19% recorded during the first phase held on May 2 across 14 other districts.
The higher turnout in the second phase reflects increased voter enthusiasm in the central and western districts of the state compared to the first phase, which covered primarily eastern and southern districts.
Extensive Campaign by Ruling Alliance
The ruling BJP-led alliance conducted an extensive campaign across the state ahead of both polling phases. According to BJP officials, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed over 5 lakh people through 26 public meetings during the campaign period.
Other key figures in the campaign included Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who conducted 31 meetings, and State BJP President and MP Dilip Saikia, who participated in 51 events including victory campaigns and party worker gatherings.
The BJP’s coalition partner, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), also participated actively in the campaign, with party president and minister Atul Bora and minister Keshab Mahanta conducting extensive outreach in their assigned districts.
Before the second phase, Saikia had appealed to voters to exercise their democratic rights and extended best wishes to all candidates participating in the elections. The BJP focused its campaign on its “Sankalp Patra” (manifesto) containing 15 pledges for rural development.