Silchar civic election records estimated 63.43% turnout, officials say

An estimated 63.43% of the electorate voted in the first Silchar Municipal Corporation election on Saturday, officials said, as polling took place across 40 contested wards. The corporation has 42 wards, but BJP candidates Bijendra Prasad Singh and Bhakti Sen Talukdar were elected unopposed from Wards 9 and 20. Polling ended at 4:30pm, although officials said the final turnout figure was still being compiled.

Ward 1 recorded the highest reported turnout at 78%, while Ward 22 recorded the lowest at 50%. Officials said polling began slowly because of rain but increased later. No untoward incident was reported from any of the wards.

A total of 133 candidates were contesting the election. The electorate included 1,29,877 men, 1,40,884 women and 11 third-gender voters, according to the supplied material. The Silchar Municipal Board was upgraded to a 42-ward municipal corporation in 2022 and became operational in June 2025.

The city had remained without an elected civic body for six years, according to the report. The BJP-AGP alliance was competing directly in most wards with Congress and independent candidates. The BJP fielded candidates in 38 wards and the AGP in four, while Congress contested 38 wards.

There were also 52 independent candidates and one CPI(M) nominee. Road conditions, drainage, waterlogging, erratic electricity and irregular drinking-water supplies were among the main issues raised during the campaign. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had promised to improve roads within a year.

Counting is due on October 6.