Guwahati

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday cast his vote in the ongoing Assembly elections for the 126-seat legislature.

Sarma, the NDA candidate from Jalukbari, voted at polling station number 15, accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma and their children. Expressing confidence, his wife said the alliance is headed for a “100 per cent sweep.”

Earlier in the day, the chief minister offered prayers at the Kamakhya Devi Temple before heading to cast his vote.

Jalukbari has remained a stronghold of Sarma for nearly 25 years. He has represented the constituency since 2001 after defeating former Asom Gana Parishad leader Bhrigu Kumar Phukan. In the 2021 Assembly elections, Sarma secured a decisive victory, polling over 1.3 lakh votes and defeating Congress candidate Romen Chandra Borthakur by a margin exceeding one lakh votes.

Earlier, Sarma urged voters to participate actively in the electoral process, stressing the importance of every vote in shaping the state’s future. In a message posted on X, he called on citizens to turn out in large numbers to strengthen democracy.

Polling is being held in a single phase across all 126 constituencies in Assam. According to the Election Commission of India, voter turnout had reached 59.6 per cent by 1:30 pm, indicating strong participation.

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More than 2.5 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots, with 722 candidates in the fray. Authorities have put in place extensive arrangements, including webcasting at all polling stations and deployment of over 1.5 lakh polling personnel, to ensure smooth and transparent voting.