New Delhi: Counting for the Assam civic polls to 977 wards of 80 municipalities will be held today. According to the figures released by the state election commission, 2,500 candidates had contested the election, whose fate will be decided as the counting begins. Candidates of 57 wards have already been declared winners as they were uncontested.
The municipal poll held on Sunday saw electronic voting machines (EVMs) being used for the first time in the history of civic elections in the state. The voter turnout was robust at 70 percent. More than 16 lakh voters including 8,41,534 women and 17 transgenders were eligible to caste their vote in the civic body election.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, state cabinet ministers Atul Bora and Jogen Mohan were among some popular names who caste their vote during the poll.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party had fielded maximum number of candidates (825) followed by the Congress' 706 candidates, according to a PTI report.
There was no untoward incident reported during the poll and no request for a re-poll was made by any party of the state, said a statement released by the state election commission after voting concluded.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in a Tweet had urged people to come out in full strength and participate in the polling process.
“Municipal elections are an important step towards ensuring public participation in governance of urban areas. As polls to urban local bodies are being held across Assam today, I urge everyone to exercise their democratic right for determining their future,” the CM had tweeted on the day of election.