Seven Northeast seats go to polls in second phase of Lok Sabha elections

GUWAHATI: As many as seven constituencies across three Northeast state are set to go to polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Of the seven Lok Sabha constituencies in the Northeast where polling are scheduled to be held in the second phase of elections, five are from Assam.

The other two constituencies from the Northeast that go to polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections are in Tripura and Manipur.

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

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).

Voting process for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections will begin at 7 in the morning and will conclude at 5 pm of Friday (April 26).

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.

With the exception of Diphu, which is reserved for Scheduled Tribes, the remaining constituencies boast considerable Bengali-speaking Muslim communities.

Additionally, Silchar and Karimganj seats also have a significant number of Bengali Hindu voters.

Karimganj boasts the highest proportion of Muslim voters, constituting over 55.7% of the electorate, while Silchar has a comparatively lower proportion at less than 40%.

In Nagaon, approximately 58% of voters are Muslim, whereas in Darrang-Udalguri, the figure stands at about 40%.

POLLING TO TRIPURA EAST LOK SABHA CONSTITUENCY

Over 16,000 polling personnel, accompanied by police forces, embarked on their journey to their designated polling stations, carrying Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the elections to the Tripura East Lok Sabha constituency on April 26.

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

In Tripura East Lok Sabha constituency, the electoral contest will feature 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.

To ensure the safety and security of the electoral process, authorities have deployed 87 companies of paramilitary forces, along with over 4000 state police personnel.

Manipur chief electoral officer (CEO) Pradeep Kumar Jha stated that comprehensive security measures implemented for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in Manipur.

The decision to conduct polling in two phases in Outer Manipur stems from security concerns, particularly in light of incidents of violence.

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.