Assam BTC election 2021: Polling was successfully conducted for civic polls today and what is more, public participation was very strong with large numbers of people turning out to cast their vote. In fact, over 78 per cent voter turnout was recorded on Thursday in Bodo Territorial Council's (BTC) second and final phase of polling. The voting for the 19 constituencies in the second and final phase of the 40-member BTC began at 7.30 am amid observation of COVID-19 protocols. 

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The counting for Assam BTC election 2021 will be held on December 12, beginning at 8 am.

Assam BTC election 2021: Here are the top points

* Few cases of violence happened with police firing in the air to control a clash between BPF and UPPL supporters in Chirang district of Assam.

* Till the closing of polls at 4.30 pm, 78.80 per cent of 10,23,404 voters exercised their franchise.

* The future of 111 candidates for 19 constituencies spread across Kokrajhar and Chirang districts is at stake.

* Long queues were still there at several of the booths of the total 1,407 polling stations and the voting percentage is likely to go up further, said Assam State Election Commission (ASEC) official.

* Voting was oeaceful except for one polling booth. There the presiding officer was replaced by the returning officer.

* At the booth of Dattapur LP School in Chirang, supporters of BPF and UPPL clashed when the presiding officer was helping an aged person to cast his vote.

* Police resorted to firing in the air to control the situation.

* The polling exercise was briefly halted at Pathargaon LP School in Chirang district after the voting stamp was allegedly stolen.

* Coters were seen not following the safety regulations with many not wearing masks and people huddling in groups.

BTC voting began on December 7 with over 77.01 per cent voters exercising their franchise in the first phase of polling for 21 seats in Udalguri and Baksa districts, where 130 candidates have contested.

A total of 23,87,422 voters in the two phases exercised their franchise to elect their representatives for the local council, formed in 2003 and elections being held since 2005.

Hagrama Mohilary-led Bodoland People's Front (BPF) is fighting to save its 15-year-old BTC regime, while state ally BJP is putting all efforts to dethrone the regional party.

The United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) led by Boro is projecting itself as a third alternative in the polls.

With PTI inputs