Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal campaigns for by-polls in Mariani, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma campaigns in Thowra

 

By-polls in Assam will be held on October 30 for Maraini, Thowra, Gossaigaon, Bhabanipur and Tamulpur assembly constituencies.

 

Guwahati: Union ports, shipping, waterways and Ayush minister Sarbananda Sonowal campaigned at various localities under Maraini assembly constituency for Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Rupjyoti Kurmi, and State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma campaigned Tuesday (October 26) for Sushanta Borgohain in Thowra seat, both of whom left the Congress to join the saffron party necessitating the by-elections.

Along with Maraini and Thowra seats, three other Assam assembly constituencies, namely Gossaigaon, Bhabanipur and Tamulpur, will also go for by-polling on October 30, where 7,96,456 general electors will be able to exercise their franchise to elect their preferred candidates to the State legislative assembly.

Out of these, 4,03,374 are males, 3,93,078 females, 4 transgender people and 3,165 service voters, informed the State electoral authority.

There are 8,864 general electors above 80 years of age. During the special summary revision of the electoral roll begun on November 18 2020, with reference to January 1 2021, as the qualifying date, a total of 43,229 electors were newly included in the list, it added.

Addressing a gathering at Hemlai Moran Gaon, the immediate past Chief Minister of Assam elaborated on various development initiatives by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged the people to vote for the BJP candidates to continue the fast-paced progress of the nation.

"I request the people of Mariani to march together with the ideals of Swargadeo Chaolung Sukapha and vote for our candidate Rupjyoti Kurmi to establish peace, harmony and brotherhood in the society and to walk on the path of progress," said Sonowal.

CM Sarma addressed several poll meetings at Tengapani school playground, Gohainbarrie tea estate, Nitaipukhuri, Maharani Lakshmi Pathar, Palengi school several and announced that the BJP-led alliance government in Dispur would give jobs to one lakh unemployed youths. He also assured that the poor families would get covered under the Orunodoi beneficiary scheme.

Earlier, the State chief electoral officer, Nitin Khade, urged all concerned to cast their votes in the ensuing by-polls following the Covid-19 restrictions, where EVMs and VVPATs will be used. With the polls only a few days away, preparations are going in full swing in all constituencies.

While the electoral photo identity cards shall be the main document of identification of a voter, the elector can also use an Aadhar card, passbooks with photographs issued by the bank/postal authority, health insurance smart card issued under the scheme of labour ministry, driving license, PAN card, Indian passport, pension document with photographs, etc. for the same.