Better last-mile connectivity, law & order motivates single-phase polls

Guwahati: Improved law and order over the years and significant upgrades in Assam’s infrastructure, particularly road connectivity, have enabled the state to hold the upcoming assembly elections in a single phase, said state chief electoral officer (CEO) Anurag Goel and nodal security officer for the polls IGP (Law & Order) Akhilesh Kr Singh here on Monday.

Addressing a press conference here, state CEO Anurag Goel said, “Improved infrastructure, availability of more buildings and bridges has led to the confidence of holding the elections in the state in a single phase.”

“Earlier, we had subdivisions headed by DEOs; now the structure has been streamlined with only district-level DEOs. A decade ago, it took nearly eight hours to travel from Tinsukia to Sadiya — today the journey takes just about 1 hour 40 minutes. The travel time between Biswanath and Gohpur, which once took around two-and-a-half hours, has also reduced significantly. Improved roads, better infrastructure, new buildings, and upgraded bridges have collectively reduced travel time and distance. With overall infrastructure and law and order improving, we are confident about conducting the elections in a single phase,” the CEO added.

“Single-phase polling requires a lot of preparations and logistics, and maybe we are better equipped now compared to earlier. Civil and police administrations are completely ready for holding the polls. It is strenuous. We have to work a little extra and we are ready,” IGP (law and order) Singh.

Moreover, he said, improved law and order in the state over the years is one key point behind the decision to hold the elections in a single phase. “The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was in force in a large part of the state earlier. Now, there are only three districts, where the act is in force. This has contributed to the confidence to hold the polls in a single phase,” he added.

The state has 31,486 polling stations across 126 assembly constituencies, with the highest number of polling stations in Mankachar constituency (402) and lowest in Dotma (146).

On remotely located polling stations, the CEO said Assam once had more than 1,000 such booths, requiring polling officials to begin their journeys two days before polling, and now, with improved connectivity, that number has now dropped to fewer than 300, significantly easing logistical challenges.

These polling stations are called P-2 polling booths, where polling personnel have to depart two days before the polling day as polling teams have to travel through non-motorable and inaccessible stretches.

Chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in his press conference on announcement of poll dates on Sunday mentioned Dhanekhana polling station on the Majuli island , which require polling personnel to undertake an arduous journey of 50-60 km via ferry and road.