Guwahati: Polling began on Friday at two stations in the Duar Amla constituency in West Karbi Anglong district after the Assam election commission scheduled a re-poll yesterday after violence broke out in the booths.
According to reports, violence erupted in two polling booths during the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) elections on Wednesday. An enraged mob demolished ballot boxes and lit documents on fire after alleged foul play by election officers.
Officials informed that re-polls began today at 7.30 a.m. at number 16 Punja Borpathar ME School and number 17 Borpathar LP School under severe security circumstances. The Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Karbi Anglong, Rejesan Terang said that voting commenced today at the two polling locations after re-polls were required due to the violence.
He said, “Voting started at 7.30 a.m. at the two polling sites in the Duar Amla constituency. We had a meeting with the stakeholders yesterday, and they had no problems.”
“As a result, voting began today, with over 1,800 people voting. Police personnel have been deployed since early this morning to ensure a calm election,” he added.
The ADC thought that voting would take place peacefully despite the strict security precautions.
It may be noted that the state election commission’s secretary published a statement about the occurrence on Thursday. It read, “Repoll was ordered as per report of deputy commissioner and returning officer in polling station numbers 16 and 17 of Duar Amla constituency of West Karbi Anglong, and the repoll would be held on June 10, 2022.”
“All ballot boxes were safely returned to the other voting sites,” the statement added.
Security personnel stationed there had to resort to blank shooting to disperse the mob.