GUWAHATI, Feb 9 � The polls for electing public representatives to 74 municipal boards and town committees of the State (32 municipal boards and 42 town committees) recorded a voter turnout of over 72 per cent.
The polling remained by and large peaceful, while a few minor untoward incidents took place at some places.
�Polling has been mostly peaceful barring a few minor untoward incidents. The polling percentage till now (7-30 pm) is 72, but the figure can go up as reports from a few centres are still coming,� State Election Commissioner HN Bora told The Assam Tribune.
Bora said re-polling has been necessitated at one polling station (Ward No. 2) of Hojai in Nagaon district. Re-poll will be held on February 11. While Palasbari accounted for the highest polling percentage of 86 per cent, Namrup recorded the lowest of 49 per cent.
The elections were held across 1,748 voting centres that witnessed the battle of ballots amongst a total of 2,901 candidates from political parties as well as independent candidates. The total electorate is 14,84,896, the break-up being 7,62,302 male and 7,22,194 female voters. This marks an increase of 12.06 per cent over the 2009 municipal election.
Of the 746 wards, 32 are reserved for ST candidates, seven for SC and 367 for woman contestants.
A total of 10,000 government employees and officials are being engaged for ensuring smooth conduct of the urban body polls.
