Live: 30% voters exercised their franchise till noon in Assam

1.40 pm: An estimated 30 per cent electorate exercised their franchise till noon .

The voting was initially slow with few voters trickling in the early hours, but picked up after 10 AM in Lakhimpur, though it continues to be slow in Baithalangsu Assembly constituency, official sources said.

Voting is underway at Lakhimpur Lok Sabha constituency and Baithalanso Assembly constituency in Assam on Saturday to decide the electoral fate of eight contestants.

An estimated 16,91,313 voters, including 8,21,199 women, were expected to cast their franchise in two seats.

In Lakhimpur the five candidates included Amiya Kumar Handique (CPI-M), Pradan Baruah (BJP), Dr Hema Hari Prasanna Pegu (Congress), Hem Kanta Miri (SUCI-Communist) and Dilip Moran (Independent).

In Lakhimpur 15,11,110 voters are expected to exercise their franchise in 1954 polling stations spread across the Assembly constituencies of Majuli (ST), Naoboicha, Lakhimpur, Dhakuakhana (ST), Dhemaji (ST), Jonai (ST), Chabua, Doomdooma and Sadiya.

In Baithalanso (ST) - 20 three contestants are in fray including Dr Mansing Rongpi (BJP), Ruponsing Ronghang (Congress) and Rajen Timung (Independent), the Election office said.

Boithalangso (ST) Assembly constituency, in West Karbi Anglong district, comprised 1,80,203 voters, including 86,819 women and 246 polling stations.

Lakhimpur had earlier been represented by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal who was fielded as an MLA from Majuli in May.

Boithalangso had fallen vaccant with the resignation of Mansing Rongpi from Congress who joined the BJP on July 12.

Polling will be held from 7 am to 4 pm and November 24 is the date before which the election shall be completed, according to the Election Commission of India notification of October 26.