From Preetam Brahma Choudhury
Kokrajhar: Training for trainees presiding officers, zonal officers/sector officers for the upcoming Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections was held at Basic Training Centre, Kokrajhar on Saturday.
Election Observer for Kokrajhar district Debo Kumar Kalita, Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner Bhaksar Phukan, Kokrajhar addressed the polling personnel and asked them to ensure a free and fair election process in the district.
During the training session, the Presiding Officer and the First, Second and the Third Polling Officers were informed of their individual responsibilities during the polling day.
Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner Bhaskar Phukan said the presiding Officer and the Polling Officers were informed of their individual responsibilities during the polling. He said the training is an integral part of free and fair elections for which all polling personnel must be trained thoroughly to handle various types of situations for better risk management. He said the district administration is all prepared for smooth and peaceful conduct of the BTC elections.
Elections to the 40 members Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) will be in two phases on December 7 and 10 next. Voters in constituencies falling under Udalguri and Baksa districts will vote in the first phase on 7 December (Monday) while voters under Chirang and Kokrajhar district will vote in the second phase 10 December (Thursday) next.
There are 10 BTC constituencies under Udalguri district, 11 constituencies under Baksa district, 7 constituencies under Chirang and 12 BTC constituencies under Kokrajhar district respectively.
The casting of votes will start from 7:30 am in the morning till 4:30 pm in the afternoon. Re-polling, if any, will take place on 8 December for the first phase elections and on 11 December for the second phase. Counting of votes will take place on December 12.
The BTC has 45 members, of whom five are nominated. Elections to the BTC which was earlier scheduled for April 4 were deferred following the nationwide lockdown due to Covid 19 pandemic.
