Guwahati, 04 May (HS): Counting of votes for the Assam Assembly elections commenced at 8 a.m. on Monday with the tallying of postal ballots under tight security arrangements across the state. The process is underway simultaneously at 40 counting centres.

The fate of 722 candidates contesting across 126 assembly constituencies will be decided today as counting progresses. Authorities have ensured multi-layered security at all centres to maintain smooth and orderly proceedings.

Polling for the Assembly elections was conducted in a single phase on April 9, recording a high voter turnout of 85.5%, one of the highest in the state’s electoral history.

In the elections, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) contested 90 seats, while its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) fielded candidates in 26 and 11 seats respectively. The Congress contested 99 seats, while other parties including Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), Raijor Dal, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), CPI, NPP, AIUDF, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), CPI(M), CPI(ML), and APHLC also fielded candidates in varying numbers. Additionally, 259 candidates contested as independents.

A large number of people gathered near counting centres since early morning as the counting process began, with results expected to emerge through the day.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash