Assam Bypolls: 7 lakh voters to decide the fate of 5 constituencies

Preparations to conduct the Assam bypolls as smoothly as possible are underway. The election machinery has completed all arrangements for conduct of the ensuing by-election in a free, fair and safe manner. To keep a strong vigilance on law and order, expenditure etc., the Election Commission has already appointed General, Police and Expenditure Observers. Further, to attract citizens for casting their votes and to strictly follow COVID protocol in the polling stations, awareness campaigns are being conducted under SVEEP.

Webcasting will be done at all the 1,176 polling stations. Out of these, 285 are in Gossaigaon, 213 at Bhabanipur, 322 at Tamulpur, 183 at Mariani and 173 at Thowra constituencies. Through webcasting, the Election Commission of India, Chief Electoral Officer and District Election Officers will be able to monitor the polling process live.

On the other hand, half a section of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are deployed at each polling station to ensure a conducive atmosphere for the smooth conduct of the election.


Keeping in mind the COVID-19 pandemic, ECI has taken precautionary measures and ensured that all the polling stations follow COVID-19 safety protocols strictly for the safety of the voters and the election officials. All polling stations will be sanitized a day prior to the poll. The facility of thermal scanning, hand sanitizers, face masks will also be made available at the polling stations.

A total of 7, 96,456 people will be voting in these constituencies. Out of which, 4, 03,374 are males; 3, 93,078 are females and 4 are transgender. Apart from them, there are also 3,165 service voters. 8, 864 electors are above 80 years of age and 4, 998 fall under the PwD category.

Tamulpur LAC has the highest number of electors out of the five constituencies with 2,17,432 electors. The constituency with the lowest number of electors is Thowra LAC having 1, 15,971 electors.

In total, 31 candidates are in fray for polls, out of which 8 in each Gossaigaon and Bhabanipur LAC, 6 in Tamulpur, 4 in Mariani and 5 in Thowra LAC.

To ensure an inclusive election, the option of postal ballot facility has been extended to senior citizens above the age of 80 years, PwDs, COVID-19 suspected or affected persons, in addition to the persons employed in essential services.

During this Assembly by-election – 2021, a total of 5,410 polling personnel will be engaged and a total of 1, 869 Ballot Units (BUs); 1, 844 Control Unit (CUs) and 1, 861 VVPATs will be used.