2024 Assam by-polls LIVE: Counting begins in five seats

Six EVMs have malfunctioned in Dholai, authorities are currently fixing the issue and counting will begin once the machines are fixed. 

Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) candidate Diptimayee Choudhury emerged victorious in the Bongaigaon by-election by a margin of 34,499 votes. Following her win, Choudhury expressed her gratitude towards the people of Bongaigaon constituency and shared her commitment to serve the region. "I have renewed hope in the people of Bongaigaon constituency. As for the steps I will take as the MLA, it's not something I can specify at this moment. Everything will be revealed and done in due time," Choudhury said, reflecting on the overwhelming support she received.

Samaguri and Dholai are witnessing tight contests between the Congress and BJP. In Samaguri, after an initial setback, Congress’ Tanzil Hussain gained a lead of over 5,000 votes. However, the margin quickly narrowed as BJP's Diplu Ranjan Sarma mounted a strong comeback. Meanwhile, in Dholai, BJP's Nihar Ranjan Das holds a slim lead of just 522 votes over Congress' Dhrubajyoti Purkayastha as of 2 pm.

As the vote counting for the Behali Legislative Constituency by-election came to an end on Saturday, BJP’s Diganta Ghatowar emerged as the winner from the crucial by-poll seat.

Ghatowar won by a vote margin of 9,051 votes, leaving his competitors trailing behind. Congress' Jayanta Bora secured 41,896 votes, while Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) could manage only 5,093 votes.

Tension erupted during the vote counting process at the ISTT campus in Dholai when media personnel were not allowed entry to cover the event, earlier on Saturday.

The situation quickly escalated, leading to intervention by Cachar District Commissioner Mridul Yadav and Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta.

Their prompt action helped resolve the issue, allowing media representatives to resume their coverage of the ongoing vote tallying.

At the end of round 6, the vote count revealed a shift in the trend in Dholai constituency. BJP’s candidate Nihar Rajan Das secured 29,100 votes, while Congress's Dhrubajyoti Purkayastha narrowed the gap with 24,066 votes. The difference now stands at 5,034 votes, compared to previous rounds.

Congress’ Tanzil Hussain has gained a substantial lead in the Samaguri by-poll, leading by 6,434 votes over BJP’s Diplu Ranjan Sarma.

“We faced many challenges during the campaign. The administration was not on our side, and our workers and leaders were targeted with bullets and violence, but we fought against these forces. Now, I am happy that we are winning,” Hussain told the press on Saturday.

Congress' candidate in Dholai, Dhrubajyoti Purkayastha, is trailing BJP's Nihar Ranjan Das by 10,705 votes. However, Purkayastha remains optimistic, confident that the tide will turn in the next nine rounds.

"Let the counting finish. Only six rounds have been completed, and nine more are to go. From here on, we will take the lead in Dholai," Purkayastha told The Assam Tribune.

In Sidli, Nirmal Kumar Brahma of BJP’s ally Unites People’s Party, Liberal (UPPL), is leading with 36,173 votes in the fifth round of counting while Bodoland Peoples Front (BPL) Suddho Kumar Basumatary has managed 21,728 votes. So far, 1360 votes have been casted for None of the Above (NOTA).

The vote counting for Dholai LAC is becoming increasingly interesting with each passing round. By the end of Round 4, BJP has secured 22190, Congress at 13,693. The Saffron party is leading by 11,474 votes.