Polling ends in Silchar peacefully with 73.89% turnout

Silchar celebrated the festival of democracy with ecstasy and a lot of selfies. However, the turnout declined compared to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. As per the latest update from the district election office, 73.89% of the total voters turned out to cast their vote. In the 2014 general election, the turnout was 75.46%.

11,91,289 voters were eligible to cast their votes and according to the estimated turnout, 8,80,243 voters went to the polling booths which mean 3,11,046 voter failed/refused to cast their votes.

13 candidates are contesting from Silchar and one will be elected as the Member of Parliament from Silchar constituency. The deputy commissioner of Cachar informed us that there were no reports of any issue regarding law and order anywhere in the district. She said that the administration had taken precautionary measures in sensitive areas.

Congress candidate in Silchar Lok Sabha seat Sushmita Dev said she was fully confident about the Congress’ win in Silchar. “The Centre and Assam government have failed to fulfill the promises it had made to the masses,” she said. Adding that as an MP, she had raised a lot of issues regarding the progress and development of the masses and hopefully, most of the people are happy. “I believe the masses will be with me,” she said, before casting her vote on Thursday morning.

She claimed it is the BJP who is under pressure and not her. Congress does what it promises. It does not sell “fake” promises, she said, adding “If BJP candidate Rajdeep Roy is thinking he will win because of Modi-wave, his will be proven wrong, she asserted.”

BJP candidate in Silchar Lok Sabha seat Rajdeep Roy, on the other hand, said he was confident the BJP will emerge victorious in both the Lok Sabha seats — Silchar and Karimganj in Barak Valley.

He said the massive support received in the two rallies by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Barak Valley this year has made it clear that the masses are with the BJP. On the other hand, the rally by Congress president Rahul Gandhi at Panchgram did not even have 5000 people. This speaks a lotl, he added.

The counting will take place on May 23, 2019.

Here is Barak Bulletin’s pre-poll analysis: