Nagaon, June 17: The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council elections registered more than 70 per cent turnout till 4pm today despite heavy rains throughout the day.

The presence of voters was initially poor at the polling stations in Karbi Anglong district headquarters, Diphu, because of heavy rains since midnight.

"Only 20 voters came to Lumbajong primary school till 10am. People queued up to vote when the rain stopped partially," a source in the district administration said.

In West Karbi Anglong's 257 polling stations, voter presence was poor till 11am due to the rainfall.

Polling for the 26 constituencies of the autonomous council started at 8am.

The BJP's chief executive member, Tuliram Ranghang, cast his vote at Bithung Rengthema High School at 11am. Diphu legislator Sum Ranghang voted at Raja Pathar High School at 10.30am with his family members.

"I want a good governing system that is transparent and people friendly. I voted for a change in the system," said 19-year-old Larsika Englengpi of Bithung Rengthema.

Englengpi, a first-time voter, feels the need for a big change which could bring a ray of development to West Karbi Anglong district.

The Hills State Demand Committee (HSDC), the Congress and the BJP are the three influential parties contesting the election.

The Autonomous State Demand Committee (present HSDC) was in power in the council from 1986 to 2001. A division in the HSDC in 2000 paved the way for the Congress which came to power in the council in 2001.

In June last year, 15 Congress and six HSDC members joined the BJP and formed the BJP-led council. This is the first election for the BJP leaders who migrated from the Congress a year ago.

The results will be announced on June 22. Karbi Anglong deputy commissioner Adil Khan said polling in all the 379 polling stations was peaceful. "The EVMs will be kept in the strong rooms till June 22," he added.