Guwahati, Sept 22: Polling for the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections began at 7:30 am on Monday, with voters turning out in large numbers across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
Long queues were observed outside 3,359 polling stations in the early hours, and no untoward incidents were reported. A total of 26,58,153 voters, including 13,34,600 women, are eligible to cast their vote in this crucial election.
As many as 316 candidates are contesting across the 40 BTC constituencies — 52 in Baksa, 56 in Chirang, 100 in Kokrajhar, 40 in Tamulpur, and 68 in Udalguri district. The primary contest is expected between the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The BTC, which governs the BTR comprising five districts of north-central and western Assam along the Bhutan border, is currently ruled by the UPPL in alliance with the BJP and the regional Gana Suraksha Party. However, unlike the 2020 polls, the BJP has fielded its own candidates this time, contesting directly against the UPPL in 30 constituencies.
Prominent leaders in the fray include Kampa Borgoyari, the BTC’s former deputy chief, contesting from Debargaon and Chirang Duars, where he faces tough competition from BPF chief and former BTC strongman Hagrama Basumatary. Other key constituencies to watch are Salakati and Bhairabkunda.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged voters to turn out in large numbers, emphasising that “every single vote counts and holds the key to building a thriving and developed BTR. Vote wisely, choose wisely.”
 elections began at 7:30 am on Monday, with voters turning out in large numbers across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).){kind=link}