HAILAKANDI, April 20 - The overall polling percentage in Hailakandi election district that falls under 1 Karimganj (SC) parliamentary constituency stood at 79.48 per cent.
According to the final tally released by the election authorities here on Saturday, the district recorded overall 79.48 polling percentage with Algapur LAC witnessing 83.52 per cent followed by Katlicherra LAC with 79.10 per cent and Hailakandi LAC with 75.98 per cent.
Of the total 4,82,744 voters, 3,83,676 cast their franchise.
There are altogether eight LACs under 1 Karimganj parliamentary constituency, out of which three are in Hailakandi district.
There has been an increase of nine per cent of women voters compared to the 2014 Lok Sabha election. This time the overall percentage of women voters stood at 77.72 per cent as against 71.81 per cent in the last general election.
Due to creative and out of box �SVEEP�ing initiative by the district administration with special focus on women voters, the turnout of women was higher this time compared to previous elections.
For the first time ever, no repolling has taken place, thus creating electoral history in Hailakandi election district.
An elated District Election Officer Keerthi Jalli remarked: �I am very happy we could deliver what we promised about holding a safe, free and fair election. We are also happy that political parties and the media trusted us and we passed their scrutiny with no complaints from across political parties. Credit goes to my entire team with special thanks to police and security personnel. It is a matter of pride not to go for repolls as the practice follows here .�
The district administration, it may be pertinent to mention here, meticulously planned the security aspect by taking into consideration the prevailing ground situation. The security arrangements were reviewed by DEO Jalli, SP Mohneesh Mishra, General Election Observer Abhinav Chandra, Police Observer Sanjeev Kalra and other senior officials from time to time to make it foolproof.
The district was divided into eight zones and 56 sectors with 15 sub-centres.
While on one hand, the district administration issued stern warning that action would be taken against anyone vitiating the atmosphere, and on the other, it instilled confidence among the voters that there was no need to fear or worry and they should come out in large numbers to assert their democratic right.
Adequate paramilitary forces comprising CRPF and IRBn along with Assam Police personnel guarded the 200 highly sensitive and critical polling stations, mostly along the Assam-Mizoram inter-state border.
Besides Static Surveillance and Flying Squad Teams, 93 officials armed with magisterial powers moved from one polling booth to the other under their respective jurisdictions to ensure that there was no untoward incident. Additional static sector officers and 80 micro observers were also deployed for smooth conduct of the polls.
In all, 2,924 polling personnel together with 1,312 presiding and first polling officials were engaged for the election, which by and large passed off peacefully.
