Assam Assembly Elections 2021 Phase 2 LIVE Updates: Polling ends; 77.21% voter turnout

The polling for 39 seats in the second phase of the Assam Assembly polls has concluded. As per the Election Commission, there was 77.21% voter turnout as of 10.14 pm.

In a big embarrassment for the Congress-led Mahajot alliance in Assam, its Tamulpur candidate Rangja Basumatary joined BJP in the presence of Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. Basumatary had filed his nomination as a candidate of the Bodoland People's Front from Tamulpur, one of the seats going to the polls in the third phase of the Assam Assembly polls.  While Basumatary cannot technically withdraw from the poll fray, he urged people to vote for Leho Ram Boro, a candidate of the United People's Party Liberal- an ally of BJP. Reacting to this development, Tewari mocked BJP for relying on repeatedly engineering defections before and after the polls. 

As per the Election Commission, Assam has registered a voter turnout of 73.03% till 5.39 pm. At 81.70%, Dalgaon has registered the highest voter turnout so far. 

As per the Election Commission as of 3.38 pm, the voter turnout stands at 63.04%. So far, the Nalbari constituency has recorded the highest turnout at 71%. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally in Kokrajhar, Assam

24.62% voter turnout has been recorded as of 11:22 am in the second phase of polling in Assam Assembly elections. 

AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal said, "We are getting 30-32 seats in the first phase. We are securing a total of 101 plus seats. I am challenging Shah if he gives proof of removing 5 Bangladeshis in 6 years."

9% voter turnout has been recorded so far in the second phase of polling in Assam Assembly elections. 

Touted as a close battle between the incumbent BJP-led alliance and the Mahajot, the Assam Assembly election is being conducted in three phases. The polling for the first phase of the Assembly polls was held on March 27 with an impressive voter turnout of 79.97%. As the polling has been increased by 1 hour, people can now cast their votes between 7 am and 6 pm. There are 345 candidates in the fray for the 39 constituencies going to the polls on Thursday. 

There are 73,44,631 electors in this phase which includes 37,34,537 male, 36,09,959 female and 135 transgender voters. In the second phase, allies BJP, AGP, and UPPL are fielding candidates in 34, 6, and three seats respectively with a friendly contest expected in four constituencies. While Congress is contesting 27 seats, AIUDF and BPF are in contention in eight and four constituencies respectively. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 2. 

Seats going to the polls in the 2nd phase:

Ratabari, Patharkandi, Karimganj North, Karimganj South, Badarpur, Hailakandi, Katlichera, Algapur, Silchar, Sonai, Dholai, Udharbond, Lakhipur, Barkhola, Katigora, Haflong, Bokajan, Howraghat, Diphu, Baithalangso, Kamalpur, Rangiya, Nalbari, Panery, Kalaigaon, Sipajhar, Mangaldoi, Dalgaon, Udalgiri, Majbat, Jagiroad, Marigaon, Laharighat, Raha, Nowgong, Barhampur, Jamunamukh, Hojai and Lumding

Major alliances:

The 15-year tenure of Tarun Gogoi as the Chief Minister of Assam came to an end in the 2016 Assembly polls with BJP winning 86 seats as against 26 seats won by Congress. In a blow for BJP in the lead-up to the Assembly election, its ally Bodoland People's Front (BPF) decided to join the Congress-led alliance. While BJP is contesting 92 seats, it has allocated 26 and 8 seats to Asom Gana Parishad and the United People's Party Liberal respectively.

It has refrained from announcing incumbent CM Sarbananda Sonowal as the CM candidate, leading to speculations that Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma might be another contender for the post. On the other hand, Congress has formed a grand alliance with BPF, AGM, AIUDF, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML), RJD and JPP. The pact with AIUDF has caused some consternation in the Congress camp.

Important electoral battles:

• Dholai: Parimal Suklabaidya (BJP) vs Kamakhya Prasad Mala (Congress)

• Sonai: Aminul Haque Laskar (BJP) vs Karim Uddin Barbhuiya (AIUDF)

• Panery: Biswajit Daimary (BJP) vs Karuna Kanta Swargiary (BPF)

• Rangia: Bhabesh Kalita (BJP) vs Bhagaban Dev Misra (CPM)

• Katigora: Gautam Roy (BJP) vs Khalil Uddin Mazumder (Congress)

• Jagiroad: Pijush Hazarika (BJP) vs Swapan Kumar Mandal (Congress)

• Jamunamukh: Sadik Ullah Bhuyan (BJP) vs Sirajuddin Ajmal (AIUDF)

• Karimganj North: Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha (Congress) vs Manash Das (BJP)