BTC Polls: Counting of votes underway, BPF & UPPL surge to early leads

KOKRAJHAR: Even as suspense continues to grow over who will be crowned King of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) on December 15 next, the counting of votes is officially underway.

In the initial rounds of counting, there is a neck-to-neck contest between the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) and the Bodoland People's Front (BPF).

In the 40 Seats, the UPPL is leading in 12 Seats, BPF in 8 Seats, BJP in 3 Seasts, and Other parties have eked out a lead in one of the Constituencies.

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This time around, the BPF, which is facing the anti-incumbency factor, and the UPPL, led by the young and charismatic Pramod Boro, are the key players. The BJP, which campaigned extensively in the region ahead of the polls, is expected to be another factor in the BTC election.

Meanwhile, security forces have been deployed outside the counting stations to ensure peace and tranquility during the process.

The voting was held in two phases -- on December 7 and 10.

The turnout was registered at 77.01% in the first phase, while the turnout was 78% in the second round of voting.

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A total of 23,87,422 voters in the two phases exercised their franchise. The election for BTC was earlier scheduled to be held on April 4 but postponed due to COVID-19. Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi took the charge of the council after five-year term of BTC ended in April.

Stay tuned to Inside Northeast for more updates.

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