Voting ends, 65 percent turnout in Assam by-polls

Guwahati, Nov 7 : By-polls in two assembly constituencies in Assam ended on a peaceful note Saturday with an estimated 65 percent voter turnout, officials said.

Dhekiajuli and South Salmara are the constituencies that went to polls. "According to preliminary reports, an estimated 65 percent voting was recorded in both the seats, although the polling percentage could be higher as we are yet to compile figures from many remote areas," an election official said.

"Voting ended peacefully," he added. The votes will be counted Nov 10.

The by-elections were necessitated after incumbent legislators Joseph Toppo from the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Badruddin Ajmal of the Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) were elected to the Lok Sabha in May.

There were 12 candidates in the fray for the two seats.

Three independent candidates contesting the polls in Dhekiajuli late Thursday announced their support to the Congress. Dhekiajuli is in north Assam's Sonitpur district, about 160 km from here, while

South Salmara is in west Assam's Dhubri district, about 300 km from Guwahati.

--IANS