High Voter Turnout in Assam's Panchayat Elections First Phase

Guwahati: The first phase of the Panchayat elections in Assam commenced on Friday with an encouraging voter turnout, reflecting widespread public interest in the democratic process. By 3:30 PM, more than 56% of eligible voters had cast their ballots across 14 districts, according to the Assam State Election Commission.Polling began early in the morning, with large numbers of voters queuing up at polling stations. Long lines and active participation were reported in several areas, signaling strong civic engagement.This initial phase of the rural local body elections spans 14 districts, namely Sonitpur, Biswanath, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, Majuli, Golaghat, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Sribhumi. These regions represent a diverse cross-section of the state's electorate, and their early participation suggests a keen interest in grassroots governance.In preparation for the elections, the Assam State Election Commission made extensive logistical and security arrangements. Over 1.20 lakh polling staff have been deployed to manage the electoral process efficiently.