GUWAHATI: The counting of votes for the Assam assembly elections, 2021 began from 8 a.m. today at 331 halls across the State.
Counting has started amid tight measures put in place by the Election Commission (EC) in view of ongoing COVID-19 situation.
The votes will be counted for 126 constituencies in 50 election districts adhering to safety protocols issued by the EC.
A three-tier security apparatus has also been arranged at the 331 counting halls across the State that voted in three phases on March 27, April 1 and April 6.
Unlike in 2016 assembly elections when there were 143 counting halls with 14 tables each, the number of tables has been reduced to seven per hall this time.
Only candidates and their agents, who have received both the doses of COVID-19 vaccine or have tested negative for the infection, will be allowed to enter a counting venue on Sunday.
According to the Assam Health and Family Welfare department, approximately 35,000 counting officials, and agents of candidates, to be engaged in the process, have got themselves tested on April 30 in pre-identified and notified testing centres.
No public gathering outside the counting venue will be allowed during the process, he said.
An average 82.04 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the three phase elections to 126 assembly constituencies.
Chief Electoral Officer, Assam, Nitin Khade said, participation of women in the polling was “remarkable” with 80.63 per cent of the total women voters exercising their franchise.
With inputs from PTI
