<p>Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday cast his vote in his hometown in Dibrugarh district of Assam -- where polls are underway in 80 civic bodies -- and urged people to exercise their franchise to ensure local development.</p>.<p>The former chief minister exuded confidence that the BJP and its allies will perform well in the civic polls.</p>.<p>Among others, state cabinet ministers Atul Bora and Jogen Mohan also requested voters to perform their democratic duty for the welfare of the state.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/assam-govt-to-bring-in-tribal-land-policy-within-six-months-says-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-1088364.html" target="_blank">Assam govt to bring in tribal land policy within six months, says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma</a></strong></p>.<p>Sharing his picture outside a polling booth, Sonowal said, "For a strong, prosperous and fast paced development-oriented municipal board, I exercised my right to vote at Dibrugarh."</p>.<p>"I request people to exercise their right to vote for the progress of their respective municipal area," he added.</p>.<p>Bora, after casting his vote in Bokakhat, took to Twitter to make a similar appeal.</p>.<p>"I urge all eligible voters to participate in the electoral process in large numbers for the formation of strong municipal boards," the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president, whose party is a partner in the BJP-led coalition government of the state, wrote on Twitter.</p>.<p>Mohan, who also exercised his franchise in Dibrugarh, said that he was "overwhelmed to see the enthusiasm of voters", who had lined up outside the booths.</p>.<p>"I hope people will vote for transparent and stable municipal boards which can work for development of municipal areas," the BJP leader said.</p>.<p>Rajya Sabha MP and former state Congress president Ripun Bora and his wife, former MLA Monika Bora, cast their votes in Gohpur municipal board election.</p>.<p>"Every vote counts. Vote wisely, Vote for Congress!” Bora wrote on Twitter.</p>.<p>Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier in the day urged people to participate in the polling process.</p>.<p>"Municipal elections are an important step towards ensuring public participation in governance of urban areas. As polls to urban local bodies are being held across Assam today, I urge everyone to exercise their democratic right for determining their future," Sarma wrote on Twitter.</p>.<p>Elections are being held to 977 wards of 80 civic bodies in 24 districts of Assam amid tight security and strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols, a State Election Commission official said. In a first, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being used for civic polls in the state.</p>.<p>The fate of 2,532 candidates would be decided by 16,73,899 eligible voters, including 8,41,534 women and 17 transgenders.</p>.<p>Counting of votes will be held on March 9. </p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday cast his vote in his hometown in Dibrugarh district of Assam -- where polls are underway in 80 civic bodies -- and urged people to exercise their franchise to ensure local development.</p>.<p>The former chief minister exuded confidence that the BJP and its allies will perform well in the civic polls.</p>.<p>Among others, state cabinet ministers Atul Bora and Jogen Mohan also requested voters to perform their democratic duty for the welfare of the state.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/assam-govt-to-bring-in-tribal-land-policy-within-six-months-says-cm-himanta-biswa-sarma-1088364.html" target="_blank">Assam govt to bring in tribal land policy within six months, says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma</a></strong></p>.<p>Sharing his picture outside a polling booth, Sonowal said, "For a strong, prosperous and fast paced development-oriented municipal board, I exercised my right to vote at Dibrugarh."</p>.<p>"I request people to exercise their right to vote for the progress of their respective municipal area," he added.</p>.<p>Bora, after casting his vote in Bokakhat, took to Twitter to make a similar appeal.</p>.<p>"I urge all eligible voters to participate in the electoral process in large numbers for the formation of strong municipal boards," the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president, whose party is a partner in the BJP-led coalition government of the state, wrote on Twitter.</p>.<p>Mohan, who also exercised his franchise in Dibrugarh, said that he was "overwhelmed to see the enthusiasm of voters", who had lined up outside the booths.</p>.<p>"I hope people will vote for transparent and stable municipal boards which can work for development of municipal areas," the BJP leader said.</p>.<p>Rajya Sabha MP and former state Congress president Ripun Bora and his wife, former MLA Monika Bora, cast their votes in Gohpur municipal board election.</p>.<p>"Every vote counts. Vote wisely, Vote for Congress!” Bora wrote on Twitter.</p>.<p>Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier in the day urged people to participate in the polling process.</p>.<p>"Municipal elections are an important step towards ensuring public participation in governance of urban areas. As polls to urban local bodies are being held across Assam today, I urge everyone to exercise their democratic right for determining their future," Sarma wrote on Twitter.</p>.<p>Elections are being held to 977 wards of 80 civic bodies in 24 districts of Assam amid tight security and strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols, a State Election Commission official said. In a first, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being used for civic polls in the state.</p>.<p>The fate of 2,532 candidates would be decided by 16,73,899 eligible voters, including 8,41,534 women and 17 transgenders.</p>.<p>Counting of votes will be held on March 9. </p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>