GUWAHATI: In the second phase of Lok Sabha elections, electorates of seven constituencies in the Northeast exercised their franchise on Friday.
In Assam, encompassing five constituencies, the overall voter turnout stood at 70.66% by 5 pm, marking a decrease of 9.54% compared to the voter turnout recorded during the second phase of elections in 2019.
Among the constituencies of Darang-Udalgauri, Silchar, Karimganj, Diphu, and Nagaon, Darang-Udalgauri recorded the highest polling at 72.99%, while Silchar marked the lowest at 65.57%.
In Manipur’s outer constituency, the voting percentage surged to 76.06%, a substantial increase from the initial two hours, indicating a healthy participation throughout the day.
Tripura’s lone Lok Sabha seat, the East Tripura constituency, recorded a turnout of 76.23%. The seat is hosting a contest between BJP and Tipra Motha alliance’s Kriti Devi Debbarma and former communist party MLA Rajendra Reang.
Despite minor EVM malfunctions in Assam, voting across the seven constituencies reportedly remained peaceful.
However, disruptions affecting polling percentages occurred as a train derailed between New Harangajao and Jatinga Lumpur railway stations in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, causing chaos in railway services on April 26.
As a consequence, numerous trains were cancelled or rescheduled, leading to inconvenience for passengers.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) announced arrangements for affected passengers at Lumding railway station.
Buses were organised for passengers to continue their journeys, with most departing promptly.
Earlier in the day, long queues formed outside polling stations as citizens eagerly exercised their democratic rights, culminating in a substantial voter turnout of approximately 33% by 11 am across the seven constituencies.
Overall, the Election Commission reported a turnout of 61% for this phase of the polls in the country, marking a 5% decrease compared to the voter turnout at the end of the 2nd phase in 2019.
In a remarkable display of democratic participation, Banjarumale village, situated in Dakshina Kannada district, recorded a 100% voter turnout during the polling on Friday.
Achieving this feat by 2 pm, the village, with a total electorate of 111, showcased unprecedented civic engagement.
