The BJP established an early lead in 30 of the 40 contested wards as the first round of counting got underway for the inaugural Silchar Municipal Corporation election on Tuesday. The AGP was ahead in three wards, while the Congress and independent candidates led in four and three wards respectively.
Counting began at 8 am at the Ramnagar ISBT campus in Silchar under tight security. The exercise is being conducted in seven counting halls, each equipped with 14 tables, and is expected to be completed in up to four rounds.
Three to four tables have been assigned to each ward depending on the number of votes polled. Wards with smaller electorates are expected to be completed in three rounds, while others may require four.
The corporation has 42 wards, but voting was held in only 40 after BJP candidates were elected unopposed in two wards. Polling for the first municipal corporation election was held on October 3.
The poll recorded a turnout of around 71 per cent among more than 2.7 lakh eligible voters, with the final turnout later revised to 70.22 per cent after complete ward-wise figures were compiled.
The counting will determine the composition of the first elected house of the Silchar Municipal Corporation. Police and civil administration officials have been deployed at the counting centre and surrounding areas, with additional security measures in place to ensure the process and declaration of results proceed smoothly.
