GUWAHATI: The voting process for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in five constituencies of Assam is underway.
Till 9am, 9.71% voter turnout was recorded in Assam across five Lok Sabha constituencies that went to polls in the second phase.
The voting process in five Lok Sabha constituencies of Assam began on Friday (April 26) at 7 in the morning and will culminate at 5pm of the same day.
The five constituencies in Assam that went to polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday (April 26) are: Nagaon, Karimganj, Silchar, Diphu and Darrang-Udalguri.
As many as 61 candidates are competing in the second phase of voting for Lok Sabha elections across the five constituencies in Assam.
While, Karimganj Lok Sabha constituency has the highest number of candidates (24), Diphu has the least number of candidates (5).
Muslim voters are anticipated to play a significant role in elections to three out of the five Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam that go to polls in the second phase.
With the exception of Diphu, which is reserved for Scheduled Tribes, the remaining constituencies boast considerable Bengali-speaking Muslim communities.
Additionally, Silchar and Karimganj seats also have a significant number of Bengali Hindu voters.
Karimganj boasts the highest proportion of Muslim voters, constituting over 55.7% of the electorate, while Silchar has a comparatively lower proportion at less than 40%.
In Nagaon, approximately 58% of voters are Muslim, whereas in Darrang-Udalguri, the figure stands at about 40%.
Key candidates who are in fray in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in Assam are: Pradyut Bordoloi (Nagaon, Congress), Joyram Engleng (Diphu, Congress), Dilip Saikia (Darrang-Udalguri, BJP) and Parimal Suklabaidhya (Karimganj, BJP).