Fresh Poll To Be Held In 43 Polling Stations in Assam Tomorrow, Hailakandi Worst Hit By Irregularities

By barakbulletin On May 3, 2025 - 1:18 pm

The first phase of the Panchayat Election, 2025, was held on May 2 across several districts in Assam, including the Barak Valley districts of Cachar, Hailakandi, and Sribhumi. Polling took place from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM and witnessed an overall turnout of approximately 70.19%, according to figures shared by District Commissioners. In Barak Valley, voter turnout varied with Cachar reporting 73%, Hailakandi 66.30%, and Sribhumi at 64.10%.

While the election was largely peaceful, several untoward incidents marred the process at select polling stations, worst hit being the Hailakandi district. The Assam State Election Commission has announced fresh polls in 43 polling stations across five districts—Hailakandi (31), Sribhumi (8), Lakhimpur (2), Golaghat (1), and Majuli (1). These repolls will be conducted on Sunday, May 4, from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

In Sribhumi district, miscreants targeted multiple polling stations, leading to ballot box tampering and booth capturing. At Jafargarh Extended H.S. School (PS 83/3) in Nilambazar, ballot boxes were damaged and polled ballot papers were drenched with water. At the Choudhury Tilla LPS (PS 85/5) in Tilabari Bandarkuna, the ballot box was thrown into a pond, destroying the polled ballots.

Other affected centres include Chandkani LP School (PS 70/5) in Nilambazar, Tinghori School LP (PS 80/9) in Srigouri, Kamargram Vivekananda LP School (PS 80/6) in Srigouri, Kamargram ME School (PS 80/6A) in Srigouri, Tuker High Bazar School (PS 85/1) in Tilabari Bandarkuna, and Khasergaon LP School (PS 89/10) in Tilabari Bandarkuna, where incidents of booth capturing and ballot paper snatching were reported.

Hailakandi district witnessed widespread poll vitiation, especially in the Kalinagar Paikan and Jamira Sahabad areas. The Election Commission, based on detailed reports submitted by presiding officers, has listed the following 31 polling stations for fresh polling:

Polling Centres in Hailakandi (Kalinagar Paikan GP):

74 No Kadamtala LPS
292 Huriarpar LP School
613 No. Behul Tribal LP School (Room-1)
84 No. Burniemukh LP School
964 No Haidorthal LP School
Arjun Dutta ME School (Room-2)
767 No Bandukmara Ra LP School
Bandukmara TE ME School
Nimar Ali High School
672 No Samarikuna LP School
133 No Gulorbanga Moktov School (Room 1)
133 No Gulorbanga Moktov School (Room 2)
424 No Anwarpar LP School (Room 2)
424 No Anwarpar LP School (Room 3)

Polling Centres in Hailakandi (Jamira Sahabad GP):
15. Mahmadpur MV School (Room-2)
16. 264 No Sahabad LP School
17. 271 No Rangabak LP School
18. Choudhury ME School (Room-1)
19. Choudhury ME School (Room-2)
20. Choudhury ME School (Room-3)
21. 380 Dinanathpur LP School
22. 1063 B M Khan LP School (Room-2)
23. Agrahari ME School (Room-1)
24. 121 No Doyalpur LP School
25. Hazi Mazar Ali ME School
26. 634 No Uttar Betcherra LP School
27. Bhagabanpur Govt Junior Basic School

Other Polling Centres in Hailakandi:
28. Nimaichandpur HS School (Room-2), Ramchandi Nimaichandpur GP
29. 266 Bahadurpur Balika Maktab, Narayanpur Bondukmara GP
30. PURBOSUNAPUR MVS, Narayanpur Bondukmara GP
31. NITAINAGAR HIGH SCHOOL, Narayanpur Bondukmara GP

Officials cited ballot tampering, booth capturing, and snatching of ballot papers and documents from presiding officers as the primary reasons for the disruption. The Election Commission, invoking Rule 34 of the Assam Panchayat (Constitution) Rules, 1995, has ordered the repoll to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.

Authorities have been instructed to ensure tight security and strict monitoring to prevent a recurrence of violence and malpractices during the fresh poll. The situation remains under close watch, especially in Barak Valley, where multiple polling centres will witness a re-election.