BJP takes lead in Assam's panchayat polls, counting continues

Guwahati: BJP has taken an early lead in Assam's panchayat poll counting, which began on Sunday morning under strict security measures, officials confirmed.

According to the Assam State Election Commission (ASEC) report, the BJP won 33 anchalik panchayats, and its ally AGP won three anchalik panchayats as of 9pm on Sunday and the Congress won one.

ASEC data confirms BJP's victory in nine anchalik panchayat constituencies in Majuli district, seven in Golaghat district, and four in Charaideo district. On the other hand, AGP won one anchalik panchayat seat each in Golaghat and Charaideo districts.

The panchayat elections, which took place in two phases on May 2 and May 7 across 27 districts, were the first to be conducted following constituency delimitation. Vote counting began simultaneously for both phases at 8am and is expected to continue until Monday evening due to the complexity of counting ballot papers.

The elections encompassed 21,920 gram panchayat members' seats (10,883 reserved for women), 2,192 anchalik panchayat members' positions (1,124 women-reserved), and 397 zilla parishad members' seats (199 women-reserved).

Sources indicate BJP's lead in over 300 anchalik panchayats and AGP in 42, whilst Congress leads in 21 anchalik panchayat constituencies. For zila parishad seats, BJP leads in around 35 and AGP in two, with Congress yet to show any lead.

Gaon panchayat member candidates contested independently, without party affiliations. Additionally, 2,912 candidates won uncontested, including 34 zila parishad members, 311 anchalik parishad members, and 2,567 gaon panchayat ward members.

The electoral process involved 1,80,36,682 eligible voters, including 90,71,264 male, 89,65,010 female, and 408 others.

In the previous panchayat elections held in 2018, the BJP had secured victories in 212 zila parishads, while its ally, the AGP, won in 19. Similarly, BJP candidates triumphed in 1,025 anchalik panchayat member constituencies, with AGP candidates winning in 118 seats by defeating opposition contenders.