Guwahati, Feb 17: Recognised national and state political parties in Assam, during meetings with the Election Commission on Tuesday, sought that the upcoming Assembly elections in the state be held in a single phase or at most two phases, officials said.
A full bench of the Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, is in Assam to review preparedness for the forthcoming polls. The CEC, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, and Assam Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel, held meetings with political parties at a hotel in Guwahati on the second day of their three-day visit.
Among national parties, Aam Aadmi Party, BJP, CPI(M) and Congress attended the meeting. State parties—including AIUDF, AGP, BPF and UPPL—met the Commission separately.
An official release said most parties urged the EC to conduct the election in one phase or a maximum of two phases, and requested that poll dates be planned keeping the Bihu festival in mind. Parties also, in general, appreciated the conduct of the Special Revision of electoral rolls in Assam and offered suggestions for ensuring peaceful elections.
The CEC is also scheduled to meet the chief secretary, home secretary, director general of police, chief electoral officer, police nodal officer and other senior state officials during the day. The CEC and the two election commissioners are slated to address the media on February 18, the last day of the visit.
Elections to the 126-member Assam Assembly are expected in March–April, with the current House’s term ending on May 20.
By Juhi | With inputs from PTI