Assam stands poised for the second phase of its parliamentary elections, set to witness both triangular and direct contests across five constituencies, with 61 candidates vying for victory.
Polling is scheduled from 7 am to 5 pm in the constituencies of Karimganj, Silchar (SC), Diphu (ST), Nagaon, and Darrang-Udalguri.
Among the prominent contenders are incumbent MPs Pradyut Bordoloi of Congress from Nagaon, BJP's Dilip Saikia and Kripanath Malla from Darrang-Udalguri and Karimganj respectively, and Assam minister Parimal Suklabaidya of BJP from Silchar (SC).
A total of 77.26 lakh voters, comprising 38.95 lakh males, 38.61 lakh females, and 179 third gender individuals, are eligible to cast their votes across 9,133 polling stations.
The polling process will be closely monitored, with 60 companies of security forces deployed to ensure safety and security.
The electoral battleground sees the BJP and the Congress contesting in all five seats, while the AIUDF is contesting in two and the Trinamool Congress in one.
Notably, only two women candidates are part of the fray in this phase.
Karimganj, sharing its border with Bangladesh, witnesses a crowded field with 24 candidates, including 19 independents. Diphu (ST) presents the lowest number of candidates with only five in contention.
In Karimganj, a triangular battle unfolds between sitting BJP MP Kripanath Malla, Hafez Rashid Choudhury of Congress, and AIUDF's Sahibul Alam Choudhury.
Silchar sees a likely triangular contest between BJP's Parimal Suklabaidya, Congress's Surya Kanta Sarkar, and Trinamool Congress's Radheyshyam Biswas.
Diphu (ST) anticipates a contest between BJP's Amarsing Tisso and Joyram Engleng of Congress, with five contestants in the fray.
Nagaon braces for a triangular contest involving sitting Congress MP Prodyut Bordoloi, BJP's Suresh Bora, and AIUDF's Aminul Islam, with 13 candidates in contention.
In Darrang-Udalguri, 11 candidates vie for victory, with a direct contest expected between sitting BJP MP Dilip Saikia and Congress candidate Madhab Rajbongshi.
The Bodo Peoples' Front candidate Durga Das Boro is also anticipated to put up a strong fight.
Assam's Chief Electoral Officer, Anurag Goel, assures that all arrangements have been made to conduct the polls in a free, fair, and peaceful manner.
During the first phase held on April 19, 78.25 percent of the electorate cast their votes to determine the fate of 35 candidates across the Kaziranga, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Sonitpur, and Lakhimpur constituencies.
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