The 2021 Assam Legislative Assembly election was the 15th quinquennial legislative assembly election held in the Indian state of Assam from March 27 to April 6 in three phases, to elect 126 MLAs to the 15th Assam Legislative Assembly.[1] The votes were counted and the result declared on 2 May 2021. The term of the previous Fourteenth Legislative Assembly of Assam will end on 31 May 2021.[2]
According to the 2011 census, 61.5% were Hindus, 34.22% were Muslims.[3][4] Christian minorities (3.7%) are mostly among some of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SC/ST) population.[5]
The 6 communities in Assam([6]) – Maran, Matak, Tai Ahom, Chutia, Koch Rajbongshi and the tea tribes have been demanding grant of ST status since a long time. These 6 communities are numerous and would play a major role in the elections.
The Scheduled Tribe population (both ST(Plains) and ST(Hills) combined) in Assam is around 13% of which the Bodo people(an indigenous Assamese community) account for 40% and the Scheduled Caste population is about 7.4% of which the Kaibarta and Jal Keot(both indigenous Assamese & migrant Bengali communities) combined account for about 36%.[7]
Out of 32 districts of Assam, 11 are Muslim majority according to the 2011 census.[8] The districts are Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Morigaon, Nagaon, Hojai, Karimganj, South Salmara–Mankachar, Hailakandi, Darrang and Bongaigaon.[9][10][11] Bodos have a population share of 12% and the Kaibarta and Jal Keot have a total share of about 10% (all of which are a part of the indigenous Assamese community).[12] The share of the indigenous Assamese communities in Assam was about 47% in the 2001 census which has reduced to about 40-45% in 2016 as predicted by experts. Indigenous Assamese Muslims, also known as Khilonjia Muslims, include ethnic groups such as Goria and Moria, and are estimated to be around 40 lakhs in population out of a total 1 crore (4 million out of 10 million) Muslims in Assam.[13]
Voter statistics
According to CEO Assam, 2,33,74,087 people are eligible to vote in the upcoming assembly elections in Assam. Of these, 1,32,081 voters have disabilities, 2,89,474 voters who are above the age of 80, 12,81,918 newly enrolled voters, 5,05,874 voters in the age group of 18-19 years and 63,074 service voters.[14][15]
Total electors
Male voters
Female voters
Third Gender Voters
2,33,74,087
1,18,23,286
1,15,50,403
398
Schedule
The Chief Election Commissioner, Sunil Arora holding a press conference to announce the schedule for Legislative Assembly election of Assam along with West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, in New Delhi on February 26, 2021. The Election Commissioners, Sushil Chandra and Rajiv Kumar and the senior officials of ECI are also seen.
Polling officials carrying the Electronic Voting Machine (EVMs) and other necessary inputs required for the Assam Assembly Election, at a distribution centre, in Tinsukia, Assam on March 26, 2021.
Voters showing mark of indelible ink after their casting vote, at a polling booth, during the first phase of the Assam Assembly Election, at Kaliabhomora, Tezpur district, Assam on March 27, 2021.
A volunteer conducting thermal screening of the voters, at a polling booth, during the first phase of the Assam Assembly Election, at Kaliabhomora, Tezpur district, Assam on March 27, 2021.
The Election commission suspended four polling officials after a polled Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in Ratabari constituency in Karimganj district was transported to the strong room through a car belonging to relative of Krishnendu Paul, BJP candidate from neighbouring Patharkandi, after polling party's own car broke down during heavy rain on 9:00pm April 1, 2021. The commission also ordered for a repoll at the polling place where the EVM was taken from, despite all machines were packed and untouched.[37] The vehicle was stopped after a mob was informed and they spotted the EVMs in another vehicle reaching strong room. The video of the incident went viral.[38]
Repoll
On 10 April 2021, the Election Commission of India (ECI) declared the polling held on 1 April 2021 at four polling stations across three Assembly constituencies as "void" under 58 (1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Commission has also ordered a repoll in these booths to be held on 20 April 2021.[39][40]