The first phase of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) election has been started on Monday morning amid high security and COVID-19 protocols.
More than 13.64 lakh voters will be deciding the fate of a total of 130 candidates of the 21 constituencies in Udalguri, Baksa districts in the first phase. Udalguri district has 10 constituencies while Baksa has a total of 11 constituencies.
The polling started in 1739 polling stations from 7:30 am and will continue till 4:30 pm.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first election that has been held in Assam. The BTC election was scheduled to be held in April but was postponed due to the pandemic and since April, the four districts under BTC were placed under the Governor’s rule.
Image source: Agencies
The second phase of the BTC election will commence on December 10 in Kokrajhar and Chirang, the remaining two districts of BTC.
The counting of votes will take place on December 12 which will unravel the fate of BJP, Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), UPPL, Congress, AIUDF, and few Independent candidates.
Since the formation of BTC in 2003, it has been governed by former Bodo Liberation Tiger Force (BLT) rebel Hagrama Mohilary Chief of BPF. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) were the coalition parties.
However, in recent times the relation between BJP and BPF has grown bitter after the four districts under BTC were placed under Governor’s rule.
Now, both parties are contesting the BTC election separately, BPF contesting with 39 candidates and BJP with 27 candidates. Meanwhile, Congress and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) have formed a coalition for the BTC assembly election polls contesting for 20 seats.
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