The 2021 Assam Assembly elections 2021 will be held in three phases, starting March 27. While the second phase will be held on April 1, the third and the last phase will be held on April 6. For the first phase, a total of 267 contestants are in the fray for 47 seats of the Assam Assembly, while 408 others filed nominations for 39 constituencies of the second phase.

Prominent candidates in the fray in phase one:

From BJP:

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal (Majuli), Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami (Jorhat), ministers Ranjit Dutta (Behali), Naba Kumar Doley (Jonai) and Sanjoy Kishan (Tinsukia).

From NDA alliance partner AGP:

Atul Bora (Bokakhat) and Keshab Mahanta (Kaliabor).

For Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Ripun Bora (Gohpur), Congress Legislature Party leader Debabrata Saikia (Nazira), AICC Secretary Bhupen Borah (Bihpuria) and former ministers Bharat Narah (Naoboicha), Pranatee Phukan (Naharkatiya) and Rakibul Hussain (Samaguri) are contesting in the first phase.

The fate of Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) President Lurinjyoti Gogoi from Duliajan and Naharkatiya seats, and jailed anti-CAA activist and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi from Sivasagar will be decided in the first phase.

From the ruling BJP, ministers Parimal Suklabaidya (Dholai), Bhabesh Kalita (Rangia), Pijush Hazarika (Jagiroad) and Deputy Speaker Aminul Haque Laskar (Sonai) have filed their papers for the second phase.

Other prominent BJP candidates are Diganta Kalita (Kamalpur), Rama Kanta Dewri (Morigaon), Jitu Goswami (Barhampur), Mihir Kanti Shome (Udharbond), Gautam Roy (Katigora), Nandita Garlosa (Haflong) and Jayanta Malla Baruah (Nalbari), the statement said.

AGP’s Aziz Ahmed Khan (Karimganj South) also filed papers, while the Congress’ Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha (Karimganj North), Ajit Singh (Udharbond), Sum Ronghang (Diphu), Kishor Kumar Bhattacharyya (Kamalpur) also submitted their nominations.

Zakir Hussain Laskar (Hailakandi) and Suzam Uddin Laskar (Katlicherra) from AIUDF, Rihon Daimari (Udalguri) and Durga Das Boro (Kalaigaon) from BPF, and Munin Mahanta (Morigaon) from CPI have also applied to contest in the second phase.

Former Deputy Speaker Dilip Kumar Paul, who resigned from the BJP after he was denied a ticket, is contesting as an independent from Silchar.

How many and who are eligible to vote:

As per the Election Commission of India, 23,244,454 are eligible to vote. 132,081 voters are differently-abled; 290,677 voters above 80 and 505,874 voters in the age group of 18-19 years.

Out of the total electors, 11,742,661 are male, 11,443,259 are female voters, and 442 third gender voters.

The 2016 election saw a shift in power as Congress lost its majority to Sarbananda Sonowal and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Congress had formed the government under Tarun Gogoi. The election which was held in two phases saw BJP and its allies had won 86 of the state’s 126 assembly constituencies.

The counting of votes will take place on May 2.