Guwahati, Nov. 19: Assam today witnessed a moderate voter turnout in byelections to the Lakhimpur parliamentary and Baithalangso Assembly constituencies.
The turnout in Lakhimpur was slightly over 60 per cent, while it was 74 per cent in Baithalangso till the filing of this report.
The development, which comes just seven months after the Assembly polls that recorded nearly 90 per cent turnout, has kept the BJP guessing and Congress keeping its fingers crossed. The BJP recorded a landslide victory in the Assembly polls in April. The BJP had attributed the high voter turnout in the Assembly polls to the people's desire for a change against the misrule by the Congress.
The Lakhimpur bypoll was necessitated after chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal vacated the seat following his election to the Assembly from Majuli, which falls under this Lok Sabha seat. In Baithalangso, it was necessitated after Congress MLA Man Sing Rongpi resigned and joined the BJP in July.
While political analysts were reluctant to cite any reason for the low turnout, some voters said they did not find the elections exciting and were so tired of standing in long queues to get old currency notes exchanged during the past week that they did not want to stand in another queue.
"Since today was a holiday for the byelection, I decided to remain at home to take rest and rejuvenate myself to stand again in the queue to get new currency notes from Monday. Money has become more important for us than elections," a voter at Jonai under Lakhimpur constituency, said.
The voters of Gelua (under Jonai segment of Lakhimpur constituency) refused to cast their votes as the booth was shifted to Mechukachari LP School 12km away. The villagers blocked the road in protest. Though they withdrew the blockade when the judicial magistrate and poll officials met them, they did not vote. However, they said if repolling is ordered for them, they would exercise their franchise.
Jonai sub-divisional officer Atul Sharma, who is the assistant returning officer, and B. Karmakar, returning officer for lakhimpur constituency, told The Telegraph that "something" would be arranged for Gelua voters.
Former Union minister and Congress leader Ranee Narah, who had earlier been elected as Lakhimpur MP, told reporters in Lakhimpur that the Congress's victory is certain as the BJP had failed to deliver on its promises.
Sources in the state BJP headquarters at Hengerabari here said the party is studying the causes of the low turnout.
"Though low voter turnout has helped the Congress in past elections, things will be different this time. The BJP will win both the seats," a BJP leader said. He said since this is the paddy harvesting season some voters were busy in their fields instead of going to polling stations.
The counting for both the seats will be held on Tuesday.
Five candidates - Pradan Baruah (BJP), Hema Hari Prasanna Pegu (Congress), Amiya Kumar Handique (CPM), Hem Kanta Miri (SUCI-Communist) and Dilip Moran (Independent) - are in the fray in Lakhimpur.
In Baithalangso (ST) constituency in West Karbi Anglong, three contestants - Man Sing Rongpi (BJP), Rupon Singh Ronghang (Cong) and Rajen Timung (Independent) - are in the fray.
Sources said the poll battle will be between the BJP and the Congress in both constituencies.
Additional reporting by Sarat Sarma in Nagaon and Vinod Kumar Singh in Dhemaji
