Its election time in Assam

By Munize Ali, TwoCircles.net,

Guwahati: With the poll dates announced, the election campaign in Assam has shot to its peak with political parties having a busy schedule in campaigning for the election that is going to be held in two phases – April 4 and April 11. In the first phase out of 126 assembly constituencies 62 constituencies will be covered while the rest will be held on April 11. Poll results will be declared on May 13. The elections will be held in 11,254 polling stations in the first phase on April 4 and in 12,557 polling stations in the second phase on April 11 and about 1.8 crore adults will exercise their franchise rights in the coming election.

Important dates

Source: http://www.assamelection2011.com/

Most of the parties have declared their nominated candidates for the first phase of election and nomination papers are being filed the candidates. So far Congress has declared 118 candidates, BJP has 110 declared candidates, AGP has 97 and that of AUDF has 24 declared candidates. The list of nominated candidates is not encouraging for female candidates. Very less female candidates have been selected for the forth coming election.

What is unprecedented for the forthcoming election is that several parties are facing the wrath of resentment from party workers over the selection of nominated candidates. Both Congress and BJP office have witnessed vandalism from the irate party workers over the selection of tickets from the party.
Election Commission too has intensified its preparations by training volunteers and appointed officials to ensure free and fair election in the state. The EC has set up a helpline for the public to post its queries or file complaints. The toll free number is 1965.

The state is on high alert following the grenade blast at the Rajiv Bhavan, the state Congress office at G.S Road, Guwahati which is situated at the heart of the city on March 13, 2011 that left about 5 party workers injured. Anti talk faction of ULFA has asked general public to avoid election meetings and gatherings in order to save themselves from any casualty. With the killing of several BSF personnel in Kokrajhar on March 13, 2011 during an ambush with militants group is an alert for the state security scenario before election and the situation definitely requires more attention. It is reported in that about 100 companies of Para military forces will be deployed to ensure law and order and security in the state during election.

The issue of D-voters or doubtful voters is still not solved before this election. Assam has about 1.8 lakh D-voters and these cases are yet to be decided. D-voters will not be able to cast their vote again this year. For the first time, in this election in accordance with the recent amendment to the Representation of People’s Act, overseas Indian citizens have been enabled to be enrolled as voters and would be able to vote in person. Election Officials have been suitably instructed to facilitate the process of their registration as voters, revealed a press release issued by Election Commission of India on March 1, 2011.

Most of the voters believe that corrupt and criminal elements are dominating the lists of the power seekers and they are at a lost as whom to vote. Assam Election Watch, a civil society watch dog for the forth coming election has urged for the introduction of ‘None of the above’ option in the ballot so that the voters are able to exercise their rights and at the same time express their choice. Among all these echoes what bothers common people is the growing price of essential commodities.