First phase of Lok Sabha elections in Assam tomorrow

GUWAHATI: The battle lines have been drawn for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in five seats in Assam tomorrow.

The Congress, BJP, Trinamool Congress, AIUDF, AGP, AAP, SUCI, CPI(M), AIFB and SP are contesting in the five seats in Tezpur, Koliabor, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur in the Congress ruled state.

Among the 51 candidates, are union ministers Ranee Narah and Paban Singh Ghatowar, former union minister and sitting MLA Bijoy Krishna Handique, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's son Gourav Gogoi and Bhupen Kumar Bora for the Congress.

Congress rebel and Independent candidate Moni Kumar Subba is also in the fray.

For the BJP, its unit President Sorbananda Sonowal and Kamakhya Prasad Tasa are contesting while AGP's nominees are: Arun Kumar Sarma, Pradip Hazarika and Joseph Toppo.

A pro-talk ULFA commander Heera Sarania alias Naba Kumar Sarania is contesting as an Independent with the support of several non-Bodo organisations there.

An electorate of 64,41,634, including 31,20,067 women, will exercise their franchise at 8,588 polling stations.

For the first time in the North East region and the third time in the country after Kashmir and Bihar, all polling booths have been declared smoking free.

Security measure have been tightened for the polls with additional companies of security forces deployed.

The next phase of the polls will be held on April 12 for three LS seats.