New Delhi: The Assam Assembly elections concluded in one phase on April 9 with a turnout of over 85 per cent, one of the highest in recent years. In a crucial match for Assam, bjpunder the leadership of the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmais seeking a third consecutive term. Meanwhile, the Congress party, led by Gaurav Gogoi, son of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi and current deputy leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, has made determined efforts to regain the state’s status.
Where and when to watch
Early trends will begin to develop at 8 a.m. on May 4, when vote counting begins in all 126 precincts in the state. Live data will be available on the Election Commission website, along with live updates, analysis and seat count from The Times of India.Follow comprehensive election coverage here
What exit polls predict
A closely watched Assam election exit poll released late on Wednesday showed a clear majority for the incumbent government led by Himanta Biswa Sarma, with a majority of pollsters favoring the BJP’s third consecutive election in the tea-producing state. The forecasts have kept the Congress on the sidelines, leaving the party in a weak position and providing little boost to the Gaurav Gogoi-led campaign in Assam. Overall, estimates across agencies suggest that the BJP-led government will win comfortably, suggesting the party is likely to secure a third consecutive term under the leadership of Himanta Biswa Sarma.
How counting is done
The counting process was organized and closely supervised. Mail-in ballots are counted first and then those recorded in electronic voting machines are recorded. For each precinct, votes are counted in several rounds, with updates released after each round. Once all rounds are completed and verified, the Returning Officer will declare the final results. Security at the counting center is tight and the vaults are closely guarded and access is limited to authorized personnel and candidate representatives. While electronic voting machines can tally votes more quickly, the need for verification and round-by-round counting means the process continues throughout the day.
