Polling passes off peacefully in Assam’s Diphu constituency

DIPHU — Polling in the six LAC segments under 6 – Diphu (ST) Parliamentary Constituency was peaceful, except for delay in some polling stations due to malfunctioning of EVMs.

The constituency in Assam went to the polls in the second phase of election to the Lok Sabha election on Friday. The District Information and Public Relations (Hills) updated that it recorded 70.67% voter turnout.

Three elderly women aged above 80 from Harcheali walked for more than 3 km to cast their votes at Siloni LP school polling station.

“We have come on foot covering 3 kkm to reach here. We started last evening and spent the night here. There is a road, but no vehicles have come to pick us up,” one of them said.

A sick woman named Kaneshowri Chetri of Bethany Model Village was also brought in a wheelchair by family members to cast her vote.

Speaking about his experience, first-time voter Harbamon Timung of Longnit said: ‘I was very happy and excited as I was going to exercise my vote for the first time.’ ‘I have voted for better education, development and for implementation of an autonomous state,’ he added.

BJP candidate Amarsing Tisso, who was accompanied by his wife Nirola Phangchopi, Secretary of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), cast his vote at Siloni LP School, Longnit (Left Wing) and expressed hope of winning the seat.

Speaking to media, Tisso said, “I thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president JP Nadda, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Chief Executive Member of KAAC Tuliram Ronghang and the people of the hill district for their immense support on me.”

‘If elected as MP, I will first raise the matter of increasing the powers of the existing Autonomous Councils in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao under Article 244 (A) as well as funds from the central government under Article 275 of the constitution. Of course, Autonomous State issue is there,’ he added.

Congress candidate Joyram Englengm who cast his vote from his home village Dalimbari LP school, West Karbi Anglong, said that people should vote peacefully without any violence. “BJP has money, but we don’t have. But there is people’s support and winning is 110%,” he claimed.

The All Party Hills Leaders Conference (APHLC)-backed independent candidate, JI Kathar cast his vote from Town Basic LP School. He expressed hope of winning by 5 lakh votes.

Meanwhile, party sources informed that Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) candidate Jotson Bey could not vote due to ill health.

Voter turnout update

By 5 pm, the voter turnout at Bokajan LAC was 66.53%, Howraghat LAC 72.6%, Diphu- LAC 70.2%, Rongkhang LAC 65.20%, Amri LAC 67.01% and Haflong LAC 73.35%, as per the official update.