Dibrugarh: The six assembly constituencies of Dibrugarh district recorded healthy voter turnout on Thursday, 9 April, in the Assam Assembly elections, with the newly constituted Khowang assembly constituency leading the district at 82.55%.
Voter turnout remained steady throughout the day, with a minor incident reported in Khowang during polling.
The Dibrugarh assembly constituency recorded 77.90% polling till 5 pm, a figure likely to rise slightly as the final tally is computed. The turnout marks an increase from the 75.36% recorded in the 2021 assembly elections, a development that both major camps will be closely analysing.
The seat this time features a high-stakes contest between four-time MLA and state Power Minister Prasanta Phukan of the BJP and AJP candidate Mainak Patra.
Across the district, all six constituencies reported strong numbers. After Khowang’s 82.55%, the Chabua-Lahowal seat recorded 81.41%, followed by Tingkhong at 80.12%, Duliajan at 79.71%, and Naharkatia at 78.81%. Compared to 2021, Duliajan improved from 77.42% to 79.71%, and Tingkhong from 79.52% to 80.12%.
It is worth noting that constituencies such as Moran, Lahowal, and Chabua, which existed in 2021, were abolished in Dibrugarh district following delimitation. In their place, the Khowang and Chabua-Lahowal constituencies were newly constituted for this election cycle.
An incident of election-related violence between BJP and AJP supporters was reported from Kutuha in the Khowang assembly constituency, triggering tension in the area. A vehicle was reportedly damaged during the clash.
Senior police officials swiftly reached the site and brought the situation under control. Khowang is witnessing a closely watched contest between BJP’s Chakradhar Gogoi and AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi.
“We are monitoring the situation closely. Adequate security has been deployed,” a senior police official said.
Earlier in the day, Union Minister and former Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, after casting his vote in Dibrugarh, struck a confident note on behalf of the ruling alliance. “The people want the BJP-led NDA government in Assam again. Only then will peace and progress prevail in the state,” he said, predicting that the BJP-led NDA would win close to 100 of the 126 assembly seats.