Demonetisation: Voters turnout plummets during bypolls in Assam, Tripura & Arunachal

GUWAHATI: Demonetisation has apparently impacted the voters turnout in the bypoll to one Lok Sabha and four assembly seats in Northeast India.

Lakhimpur Lok Sabha seat registered the voting percentage of 60.81 percent till 5 pm. In 2014, Lakhimpur had witnessed poll percentage of 77.75 percent. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had vacated the seat after he was elected to state assembly from Majuli.

Around 65 percent voters exercised their franchise in Baithalangso assembly seat in Assam. In 2016 assembly elections, the poll percentage for the seat was 80.86 percent. Election was necessitated after Dr. Mansing Rongpi quit Congress and simultaneously resigned from the membership of Assam Legislative Assembly.


Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in the run up of by polls had urged voters to turn out in large number and vote.

The overall voting percentage for Assam stood at 60.83 percent while the overall polling percentage in Assam assembly election held in April this year was 84.72percent.

Around 72 percent electorate exercised their franchise in the by-election to Hayuliang constituency in Arunachal Pradesh. The polling percentage is likely to increase.

In 2014 assembly polls, the polling percentage in the seat was 87.42 percent. Election to the seat was held following demise of former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul.

In Left Front ruled Tripura, voting percentage for by-elections of two assembly constituencies, Barjala and Khowai, is likely to cross 90 percent. By election was necessitated following the resignation of former Congress MLA Jitendra Sarkar from Barjala assembly constituency and demise of Khowai MLA Samir Deb Sarkar.

In 2013 assembly polls, Barjala witnessed poll percentage of 94.64 percent while Khowai registered turnout of 96.17 percent.

Political analysts said: “The poll percentage in Assam has come down in many areas as voters were busy in withdrawing money. Despite efforts from political parties voter turnout was less in comparison to the recent elections.”