GUWAHATI: Political parties in Assam want the Legislative Assembly Elections to be over before the Bohag Bihu celebrations. Joining an interaction with a high-level team of Election Commission of India led by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora at hotel Radisson Blu in Guwahati, the parties made the EC team aware of their decision.
The Election Commission is on a three days visit to Assam and is meeting members of all the political parties. The EC team met delegates from Congress, AIUDF, BJP and discussed poll related issues. The Election Commissioner will meet the Deputy Commissioner and DGP in the evening.
“We want the election to be completed before Bihu in two phases. We will provide suggestions on polling booths and how the election should be managed. We want an increase in the number of polling stations so that people can vote comfortably maintaining the COVID protocol,” said AGP leader Kamala Kalita.
The BJP too wants the elections to take place before the Bohag Bihu. Bohag or Rongali Bihu begins on April 13.
“For Brahmaputra Valley it would be better if we have the election before the Bihu. We can celebrate the Bihu after the election is over. We have requested to get voter cards to the around five lakh voters who are newly included,” said BJP’s Swapnanil Barua.
“We want the elections to take place before the Bihu. There should not be any hindrance in the Bihu celebrations. We have also informed that it would be better if the elections take place in three phases,” said BJP leader Jayanta Malla Baruah.
The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has also echoed the same.
“We too feel that it would be better if the elections take place before the Bihu. Upper Assam normally soaks into the Bihu festivity more. So, it would be better if the elections take place before the Bihu,” said AIUDF general secretary Aminul Islam.
He also voiced in favour of conducting the elections in two or more phases.
Read: ELECTION COMMISSION ARRIVES IN ASSAM TO REVIEW PREPAREDNESS FOR UPCOMING ASSEMBLY POLLS
