GUWAHATI: The Assam Assembly bye-elections concluded on Wednesday, November 13, with a high voter turnout, along with sporadic incidents of violence. Voting took place across five constituencies including Behali, Bongaigaon, Sidli, Dholai, and Samaguri, with long queues at many of the 1,078 polling stations throughout the day.
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By 5 p.m., over 70% of eligible voters had cast their ballots, according to the Election Commission. Samaguri recorded the highest turnout at 78.10%, followed by Behali at 73.70%. Dholai saw 72.40%, while Sidli and Bongaigaon reported turnouts of 71.50% and 69.08%, respectively. Voting continued past the scheduled end time in Sidli, Behali, and Dholai, due to the large turnout.
However, tensions flared in Samaguri, as clashes broke out at polling booths 89 and 90, where BJP supporters allegedly attacked police and vandalised property. Four people sustained injuries, and Congress polling agents were reportedly intimidated.
Later, a vehicle in MP Hussain’s convoy was also allegedly attacked in Salapara by individuals carrying BJP flags. Additional security forces were deployed to restore order.
Meanwhile in Bongaigaon, the election was contested by Diptimohan Choudhury of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), an ally of the BJP, who aims to carry forward the political legacy of her husband, Phani Bhushan Choudhury, the AGP Member of Parliament.
Elsewhere, the bye-elections in Behali saw BJP's Diganta Ghatowal against Jayanta Bora of the Congress, along with candidates from Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The Dholai constituency witnessed a heavy contest as there was a fissure when the BJP’s ticket was given to former MLA Parimal Suklabaidya’s close aid.
Finally, Sidli was contested between Nirmal Kumar Brahma of the United People's Party, Liberal (UPPL) and Shuddha Kumar Basumatary of the Bodoland's People Front (BPF), through Sanjib Warie from the Congress.
Overall, voting in Behali, Dholai, and Bongaigaon was largely uneventful, with only minor disruptions reported due to Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunctions. These technical issues were swiftly addressed by the Election Commission, ensuring a smooth continuation of the voting process.