Second phase of Lok Sabha elections: Voting in seven Northeast constituencies underway

GUWAHATI: The voting process for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in seven constituencies in Northeast is underway.

The voting process in seven Lok Sabha constituencies in Northeast began on Friday (April 26) at 7 in the morning and will culminate at 5pm of the same say.

The seven constituencies in the Northeast that go to polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday (April 26) are: Nagaon, Karimganj, Silchar, Diphu, Darrang-Udalguri, Tripura East and Outer Manipur.

POLLING IN FIVE ASSAM LOK SABHA CONSTITUENCIES

As many as 61 candidates are competing in the second phase of voting for Lok Sabha elections across the five constituencies in Assam.

While, Karimganj Lok Sabha constituency has the highest number of candidates (24), Diphu has the least number of candidates (5).

Muslim voters are anticipated to play a significant role in elections to three out of the five Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam that go to polls in the second phase.

Key candidates who are in fray in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in Assam are: Pradyut Bordoloi (Nagaon, Congress), Joyram Engleng (Diphu, Congress), Dilip Saikia (Darrang-Udalguri, BJP) and Parimal Suklabaidhya (Karimganj, BJP).

POLLING TO TRIPURA EAST LOK SABHA CONSTITUENCY

Tripura East Lok Sabha constituency is reserved for scheduled tribes (ST).

In Tripura East Lok Sabha constituency, the electoral contest features BJP candidate Kriti Singh Debbarma competing against INDIA bloc candidate and CPI-M leader Rajendra Reang.

The Tripura East Lok Sabha constituency encompasses all assembly segments of Dhalai, North, Unakoti, Khowai districts, as well as four assembly constituencies of South Tripura and three assembly constituencies in Gomati district.

POLLING TO OUTER MANIPUR LOK SABHA CONSTITUENCY

Stringent security arrangements have been put in place across Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency ahead of the second phase of elections.

A total of 857 polling stations, including nine special polling stations, have been set up across 13 assembly segments under the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency.

Currently, the Outer Manipur constituency is represented by Lorho Phoze of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), a constituent of the BJP-led NDA.

The BJP has thrown its support towards NPF candidate Kachui Timothy Zimik.

On the other hand, the NPF candidate will face competition from Congress MLA Alfred K Arthur, representing the joint Opposition candidate of the INDIA bloc.