An estimated 25 per cent of the electorate cast its franchise in the first four hours of polling in 62 Assam Assembly constituencies today amidst tight security.

The highest percentage was reported from constituencies in Karimganj, Jorhat and Haflong districts ranging from between 35 and 40 per cent. Tinsukia recorded the 11 per cent polling, according to the election office.

The Chief Minister, Mr Tarun Gogoi accompanied by wife Ms Dolly and son Gaurav, Union DONER Minister, Mr B.K. Handique and Lok Sabha MP, Mr Dip Gogoi, cast their votes in Jorhat constituency.

Reports of EVMs malfunctioning was reported from six polling stations in Lakhimpur, Naoboicha, Bokajan and Diphu Assembly constituencies.

Voters boycotted polling in ten polling stations under the Haflong police station.

The Indigenous Peoples Forum, an umbrella organisation of Hmar, Kuki and Zeme Naga tribes, boycotted the polls demanding bifurcation of North Cachar Hills district into two autonomous hills districts.

For the first time in 15 years, insurgents of the ethnic Karbi Longri National Liberation Front (KLNLF) participated in the democratic process by casting their vote in central Assam’s Karbi Anglong district.

The KLNLF Chairman, Mr P Dili, told presspersons at a polling booth here that 41 of his cadres in two designated camps exercised their franchise for the first time in 15 years in the Assam Assembly elections.

The second phase of voting will take place on April 11. Polling was being held amidst tight security following threats issued by banned ULFA faction led by Paresh Barua.

Nearly 35,000 central paramilitary personnel have been deployed for the polls.

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