Cachar Ready for Polls: Over 1.9 Lakh Voters to Decide Dholai’s Next MLA, with Election Staff Set to Ensure Smooth Voting

On 13 November, five regions in Assam, including Dholai in the Cachar district, will head to the polls for by-elections. The Cachar District Administration has made all necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth electoral process in Dholai, where a new MLA will be elected following the recent elevation of the previous MLA, Shri Parimal Suklabaidya, to the position of MP for Silchar.

The Cachar administration has set up secure ‘strong rooms’ at Silchar’s ISBT and ISTT complexes, where election materials, including Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), were distributed this morning to polling officers and presiding officials. These election staff are now en route to their designated polling stations across the constituency, carrying all necessary equipment to facilitate voting.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Numal Mahatta assured that with the cooperation of the public and a robust police presence, the Dholai by-election is set to proceed smoothly. He emphasised that police officers, along with the in-charges (IC) and officers-in-charge (OC), will be present across the constituency’s 208 polling stations to maintain security and order. Mahatta highlighted that each polling station is in coordination with the police, following strict guidelines to ensure a seamless voting process. For additional security, some polling stations have been assigned fixed police personnel.

As Dholai borders Mizoram, SP Mahatta noted that he had communicated with his counterpart across the state line to reinforce cross-border cooperation and security. This collaboration aims to prevent any disruptions and ensure that the by-election is conducted without interference from either side of the border.

A total of 1,97,662 voters in Dholai are eligible to cast their votes in this by-election, comprising 99,756 male voters, 97,885 female voters, and one transgender voter. Voting will take place across 208 polling stations in Dholai, with two polling stations designated as highly sensitive. Special security measures are in place for the 42 polling stations near the Mizoram border, where the Assam administration has increased vigilance to maintain order.

The by-election’s main contest pits BJP candidate Nihar Ranjan Das against Congress candidate Dhrubojyoti Purkayastha, with both parties conducting vigorous campaigns in the run-up to election day. The result will determine if BJP can retain its seat or if Congress will claim the constituency. Security forces and local authorities are on high alert to ensure that the polling remains peaceful and orderly.