Assam to conduct two-phased panchayat elections on May 2 and 7; results on May 11

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 2, 2025

Assam will hold panchayat elections in two phases on May 2 and May 7, with vote counting scheduled for May 11.

Addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Wednesday, State Election Commissioner Alok Kumar said the elections will be conducted across 25,007 polling booths, excluding Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, and the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). This marks a 6% increase in polling stations compared to the 2018 panchayat elections.

In the first phase on May 2, elections will take place in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Majuli, Jorhat, Golaghat, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Sribhumi districts.

The second phase on May 7 will cover Dhubri, South Salmara Mankachar, Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Bajali, Nalbari, Kamrup, Kamrup (Metro), Hojai, Nagaon, Morigaon, and Darrang districts.

The deadline for filing nominations is April 11 for both phases, with scrutiny of nomination papers and publication of the final candidate list on April 12. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is April 17. If needed, re-polling will be conducted on May 4 for the first phase and May 9 for the second phase.

A total of 1,80,36,682 voters will participate in the election, comprising 90,71,264 male voters and 89,65,010 female voters. This marks a 13.27% increase compared to the 2018 panchayat elections, which had a total of 1,56,41,456 voters.

The election will determine the leadership of various panchayat bodies:
21,920 Gram Panchayat (GP) members
2,190 GP presidents
2,192 GP vice-presidents
2,192 Anchalik Panchayat (AP) members
181 AP presidents
181 AP vice-presidents
387 Zila Parishad (ZP) members

With the announcement of the poll schedule, the Model Code of Conduct is now in effect. The expenditure limits set for candidates are as follows:
ZP candidates: Rs 10 lakh
AP candidates: Rs 2.50 lakh
GP candidates: Rs 25,000

Candidate Eligibility Criteria

The Assam State Election Commission (ASEC) has outlined eligibility conditions for candidates filing nominations:
Must be at least 21 years old
Must have a functional sanitary toilet at home
Must not violate the legal age of marriage
Must not have more than two children
Must file an affidavit under Rule 22A regarding any criminal convictions or pending legal charges.

The minimum educational qualification for candidates varies based on the position and community category:
GP members: HSLC (Class 10), relaxed to Class 8 for ST, SC, OBC, and MOBC candidates.

AP and ZP members: Higher Secondary (Class 12), relaxed to HSLC (Class 10) for ST, SC, OBC, and MOBC candidates.