At meeting with Election Commission, Assam parties seek 1 or 2-phase assembly polls

Guwahati: The full bench of the Election Commission of India, headed by chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, arrived in Assam on a three-day visit to assess preparedness for the upcoming assembly polls in the state. On Tuesday, election commissioners met representatives of recognised political parties who suggested that elections be held in either a single or a maximum of two phases. They also urged the poll panel to schedule dates keeping in mind the Bihu festival, an official release said.

ECI held meetings with BJP, Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Aam Aadmi Party, All India United Democratic Front, Asom Gana Parishad, Bodoland People's Front and United People's Party Liberal. Political parties appreciated the conduct of special revision of electoral rolls in Assam.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said BJP wants the election to be held before Bohag Bihu (agrarian festival celebrated in the second-third week of April). "Post Bihu, Assam witnesses flooding and it will be difficult to hold an election. During Bihu, there are functions held at different places and a large number of police are deployed in the makeshift pavilions. It will create difficulty for police machinery to be both on election duty and guarding Bihu pavilions."