In Assam, movement of poll parties began today for the first phase of elections to be held in the State on Monday. According to State Election Office sources, poll officials along with election materials left for their destinations in 69 remote centres covered by dense forests in Haflong Assembly constituency in North Cachar Hills district this morning. Poll officials in other remote areas of Karbi Anglong and riverine areas of the Barak Valley will start from tomorrow.
AIR Correspondent reports that the political fortune of 485 candidates, including 38 women contestants, will be decided in this phase of polling by an electorate comprising eighty five lakh nine thousand eleven voters. Eleven thousand two hundred sixty four polling centres are spread over 13 districts in Upper Assam, Barak Valley and two hill districts.
Meanwhile, with only a day remaining for campaigning for the first phase of elections, most of the parties are busy giving last minute touches to woo the voters. Congress president Ms. Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to address a series of election meetings at Karimganj, Bokajan and Khumtai Assembly segments today. Similarly, the senior BJP leaders -L.K.Advani and Narendra Modi are attending a series of election rallies at Khumtai, Rangapara, Dibrugarh, Dhemaji, Lumding and Naoboicha. The Asom Gana Parishad leaders- Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Chandra Mohan Patowary besides top leaders from Left parties, AIUDF and other parties have also intensified their last minute campaigning strategy.
