Assam civic polls: Voting in 80 municipalities today amid tight security

Assam is voting on Sunday across 80 civic bodies - with 977 wards - amid tight security. Queues were seen outside the polling booths as voting began at around 8 am. More than 2,500 candidates are contesting the Assam civic polls, according to the election commission figures. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded the maximum number of candidates (825), followed by the Congress's 706 candidates and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)'s 243 candidates, news agency PTI reported.

More than 16 lakh voters - 8.32 lakh men and 8.41 lakh women - and 17 transgenders are eligible to vote in the civic body elections.

Thousands of government employees have been deployed for the election duty and the counting day. Apart from this, more than 30 poll observes are also in the state to monitor the polling process.

Interestingly, it is for the first time that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being used for polling instead of ballot papers, state election commissioner Alok Kumar had announced earlier.

Political parties left no stone unturned as they attempted to reach out to voters during the high-pitched campaigning. From coming out with special songs to shaking a leg to reciting dialogues of popular films and plays, the candidates were seen doing it all to appeal for votes.

"Municipal elections are an important step towards ensuring public participation in governance of urban areas. As polls to urban local bodies are being held across Assam today, I urge everyone to exercise their democratic right for determining their future," Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted.

The counting for the votes will be carried out on Wednesday.