Guwahati: About 70 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the 13 Council constituencies in south Kamrup and Goalpara districts in the first phase on Wednesday.
The first phase polling for the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) passed off peacefully amid tight security arrangements with more than 50 per cent polling reported till noon in Assam’s Goalpara and Kamrup districts, district officials said.
There was no report of any untoward incidents from any part of the two districts though the run-up to the three- phase poll was marked by violence following widespread protests by non-Rabha organisations demanding their exclusion from the Council areas.
An electorate of 1.22 lakh would exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 65 candidates in 13 constituencies — seven in Goalpara and six in Kamrup districts.
This is the first election to the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) since it was set up in 1995 and there are 36 constituencies, all of which have been declared ‘hyper-sensitive’.
The second and the third phase polls would be held on November 16 and 25 respectively.
Meanwhile, the indefinite ‘public curfew” called jointly by the Non-Rabha Coordination Forum and Non-Tribal Students’ Union was called off on Wednesday following Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s appeal to non-Rabha organisations to cooperate during the polls as their demands were being looked into.
They informed that the bandh will be effective on November 15-16 and November 24-25 only.
Gogoi welcomed the decision of the non-Rabha organisations as it would pave the way for creating a congenial atmosphere to sort out various issues amicably across the negotiation table.
In a statement here, Gogoi while welcoming the decision of the non-Rabha organisations to withdraw the bandh said it would pave the way for creating a congenial atmosphere to sort out various issues amicably across the negotiation table.
The Chief Minister had on Tuesday appealed to the opposing bodies to allow the peaceful conduct of the elections and stressed that all differences could be solved through talks.
The non-Rabha organisations have been demanding exclusion of non-Rabha villages from RHAC areas.
They have been carrying out various agitational activities, which had been intensified since the announcement of the election schedule more than a month back.
Violence has marred the run-up to the election, with schools and offices torched in various parts of RHAC areas.
The Assam State Election Commission had announced a three-phase polling for the first-ever RHAC polls in Goalpara and southern Kamrup districts to be held on November 13, 16 and 25.
Simultaneous polls for some panchayats in Goalpara district, which were countermanded in February after violence in the Rabha Hasong areas, will also be held on November 20 and 27. (Agencies)