Guwahati, Nov 13: A provisional voter turnout of 72.83% was recorded In the by-elections conducted across five assembly constituencies in Assam on Wednesday.
The final turnout is expected after midnight, pending reports from remote polling stations, according to an Election Department official.
The Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office reported turnout figures as follows: Samaguri at 79.64%, Bongaigaon at 72%, Dholai at 72.4%, Sidli at 71.5%, and Behali at 73.7%, all recorded by 7 pm.
While the voting was largely peaceful in Bongaigaon, Sidli, and Dholai, there were allegations of violence and rigging in Samaguri and Behali, with accusations exchanged between the ruling BJP and opposition candidates.
A total of 9,09,057 voters across these five seats are determining the outcome for 34 candidates, with the seats left vacant after their respective MLAs won in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. The vote counting is scheduled for November 23.
As voting progressed in by-elections across Dholai, Sidli, Bongaigaon, Behali, and Samaguri constituencies, an election official reported a high turnout and active voter participation, with polling stations prepared to provide a comfortable and accessible experience.
In a unique initiative, the SVEEP division in Nagaon offered voters in Samaguri a small plant as a token of appreciation, creating a welcoming atmosphere at the model polling stations.
However, the by-elections faced significant allegations from the Congress party. APCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah raised concerns over the integrity of the electoral process, accusing the ruling BJP of intimidating voters and manipulating voting procedures, especially in Behali and Samaguri.
Congress spokesperson Rhituporna Konwar alleged that BJP MP Ranjit Dutta was captured on video threatening a Congress worker near polling booth No. 79 in Nakunia, Behali.
Tensions escalated when police detained Charaideo District Congress president Utpal Gogoi, leading Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and MLA Asif Nazar to stage a sit-in at the Jinjia police outpost, demanding his release.
Borah further alleged that irregularities occurred in multiple polling stations within the Samaguri constituency, listing schools and centres such as Bhagamukh Moktab Schools, Puthikhaiti Primary School Centres, and Shalmari Primary School Centres as sites of concern.
Borah urged the Election Commission to deploy additional security measures, including CCTV monitoring and paramilitary forces at sensitive polling stations, accusing the Commission of failing to address these issues and labelling it a “puppet” under government influence.
He also requested that CCTV footage be made available for review if needed to ensure transparency and uphold the credibility of the election process.
The Election Commission is expected to address these allegations and ensure a fair and impartial election environment.
