Guwahati, December 9: Voting for the second phase of panchayat polls in Assam began on Sunday at 7 am and will continue till 3 pm. In the second phase, 10 districts of the state will go to polls to elect Anchalik Panchayat and Zila Parishad members, Gaon Panchayat members and Gaon Panchayat presidents. The fate of 35,056 candidates will be decided for 10,909 posts by 64,21,518 voters through 9,428 polling booths in 13 districts. The counting of votes for both the phases will be held on December 12. Assam Panchayat Elections 2018: 44,731 Candidates File Nominations. 

The first phase of the two-phase panchayat elections in Assam was held on December 5 to decide the fate of 43,515 contestants for 15,899 posts. Over 65 per cent polling was recorded in the first phase. Voters at several places complained of anomalies in ballot papers and the authorities have ordered repoll in around 20 polling stations.  Altogether 442 candidates of various parties have already been declared winners uncontested. Assam Panchayat Elections 2018: Voting for First Phase Begins in 16 Districts, Counting to Be Held on December 12. 

Voters wait to cast their votes at a polling station in Karimganj:

Assam State Election Commissioner (ASEC), H N Bora was quoted by PTI saying that till 3 pm, the state had witnessed polling of 65.5 per cent. "But this figure will go up as long queues are still there at many booths. Some districts said polling is likely to continue till 10 pm," he added. In the last panchayat elections in 2013, Assam had witnessed 76.76 per cent voting.

In Assam, the panchayat polls are being held at a time when the state is witnessing protests over the citizenship bill. The ruling BJP,  Congress, Asom Gana Parishad, AIUDF, Bodoland Peoples Front,  Left parties among others are in the fray.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 09, 2018 09:10 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).