Nagaon (Assam), 06 October (HS): Voting for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election commenced at 7 am on Tuesday amid elaborate security arrangements across the constituency. The polling will continue until 5 pm, with the Nagaon and Morigaon district administrations overseeing the process. As many as 19,02,009 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the election involving 15 candidates.

The total electorate includes 9,58,595 men, 9,43,364 women and 50 third-gender voters. Authorities have established 2,112 polling stations, including five auxiliary stations. Of these, five have been designated as model polling stations and 335 are being managed by women personnel.

To conduct the election smoothly, 9,664 polling personnel have been assigned duties across the constituency. The polling teams reached their designated stations with election materials ahead of the voting.

The administration has put in place extensive security and surveillance measures to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident. Assam Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel reviewed the poll preparedness in both districts, including compliance with the Model Code of Conduct.

For closer monitoring, 86 micro-observers have been deployed along with 69 flying squads and 69 static surveillance teams. Webcasting has also been arranged at every polling station to facilitate real-time monitoring of the electoral process.

Home voting through postal ballots for eligible voters above 85 years of age and identified voters with disabilities was completed earlier under Section 60(C) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Goel appealed to voters to turn out in large numbers and exercise their democratic right. The counting of votes will take place on October 9.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash