The first phase of the much-anticipated panchayat elections in Assam kicked off on Friday morning with an encouraging voter turnout, as thousands of citizens queued up across 14 districts to cast their votes. The polling process marks a vital step in strengthening local self-governance and holds significant implications for the state’s political landscape. Polling began early in the day and was met with enthusiastic participation from voters in districts including Sonitpur, Biswanath, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, Majuli, Golaghat, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Sribhumi. Long queues were seen outside polling stations even before dawn, reflecting strong engagement in the rural democratic exercise.
According to the Assam State Election Commission, elaborate security and logistical arrangements were made to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections. Over 1.20 lakh polling staff have been deployed, and adequate police forces have been stationed at each of the 25,007 polling booths set up across the state for the two-phase election. The overall electorate consists of more than 1.80 crore registered voters, which includes approximately 90.71 lakh men, 89.65 lakh women, and 408 voters identified in the ‘others’ category. The second phase of polling is scheduled to take place on May 7, covering the remaining 13 districts of the state. The counting of votes will be held on May 11. In a significant pre-poll development, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has already bagged a notable early lead. A total of 37 Zila Parishad seats have been secured unopposed, with 35 going to the BJP and 2 to its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). Additionally, the NDA has also claimed 288 Anchalik Panchayat seats unopposed — 259 by BJP and 29 by AGP.
Reacting to this development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media platform X to express his satisfaction with the initial results.“The NDA has already secured 37 Zila Parishad and 288 Anchalik Panchayat seats unopposed. This is a massive and unprecedented mandate in Assam’s political history,” Sarma said, adding, “It reflects the immense trust and overwhelming love that the people of Assam have for the NDA and for our Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” He further expressed optimism about a sweeping victory once the final results are in. “We are confident that when the final election results are declared, this tally will grow even more impressive. The NDA is all set to sweep the Panchayat elections in Assam,” he added.