Election Commission Begins Key Assam Visit to Ensure Fair Assembly Polls

A team from the Election Commission of India (EC), led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, arrived in Assam on February 16 for a three-day visit to review preparedness for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

The delegation, which also includes Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, is scheduled to hold meetings with political party representatives, senior election officials, police authorities and regulatory agencies. The poll body will conduct detailed reviews of voter list revision, law and order arrangements, security deployment, polling infrastructure and technology use to ensure free and fair elections.

Officials said the team will also assess the progress of ongoing electoral reforms, including steps to boost voter participation, curb the influence of money and muscle power, and strengthen grievance redressal systems. Special attention will be given to sensitive and vulnerable polling areas across the state.

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Given Assam’s challenging geography, the Commission is expected to closely examine preparedness at remote and riverine polling stations, particularly in flood-prone and border regions, to ensure smooth conduct of voting.

The team will additionally review the training of polling personnel and the availability of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and VVPATs. The 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly is likely to go to polls in March or April, ahead of the current Assembly’s term ending on May 20.

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