<p>Polling began at 7 am on Thursday for 39 seats in the second phase of assembly elections in Assam amid tight security, officials said.</p>.<p>The fate of 345 candidates, including 26 women, is being decided by over 73.44 lakh voters in this phase.</p>.<p>Among those contesting the elections in this phase are five ministers and the deputy speaker of the outgoing House.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/assam-assembly-elections-phase-2-live-news-updates-bjp-congress-aiudf-himata-biswa-sarma-sarbananda-sonawal-rahul-gandhi-akhil-gogoi-badruddin-ajmal-rallies-campaign-968920.html">For latest updates of Assam elections, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>The polling will continue till 6 pm as the duration has been extended by an hour to ensure strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols.</p>.<p>Voters were seen wearing masks and maintaining social distance in the queues.</p>.<p>Over 73.44 lakh voters will exercise their franchise in 10,592 polling stations spread over 13 districts in the Barak Valley, the hill regions and parts of central and lower Assam.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/bengali-speaking-barak-valley-and-hill-districts-in-focus-in-the-second-phase-of-polling-in-assam-968739.html">Bengali-speaking Barak Valley and hill districts in focus in the second phase of polling in Assam </a></strong></p>.<p>A total of 310 companies of security forces have been deployed to carry out strict vigil and prevent any untoward incident.</p>.<p>Around 42,368 polling personnel have been deployed, of whom 1,516 were dispatched two days in advance to far-flung areas, particularly in Dima Hasao and East and West Karbi Anglong district, the officials said.</p>.<p>The ruling BJP is contesting 34 seats, while its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is fighting in six constituencies and the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) in three.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/bjp-will-not-allow-assam-to-become-infiltrators-hub-again-says-amit-shah-968662.html" target="_blank">BJP will not allow Assam to become infiltrators' hub again, says Amit Shah</a></strong></p>.<p>The BJP is engaged in friendly fights with the AGP in Patharkandi and Algapur and the UPPL in Majbat and Kalaigaon.</p>.<p>In the 'Mahajot' (Grand Alliance), the Congress is contesting in 28, the AIUDF in seven and the Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF) in four.</p>.<p>The newly-floated Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) is contesting in 19 seats.</p>.<p>There is a direct contest between the NDA and the Grand Alliance in 25 seats, while the rest of the constituencies are witnessing a triangular fight.</p>.<p>The three-phase elections to the 126-member assembly began on March 27 for 47 constituencies, registering a voter turnout of 79.97 per cent.</p>.<p>The third and final phase of the elections to the 40 seats will be held on April 6. The votes will be counted on May 2. </p>
<p>Polling began at 7 am on Thursday for 39 seats in the second phase of assembly elections in Assam amid tight security, officials said.</p>.<p>The fate of 345 candidates, including 26 women, is being decided by over 73.44 lakh voters in this phase.</p>.<p>Among those contesting the elections in this phase are five ministers and the deputy speaker of the outgoing House.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/assam-assembly-elections-phase-2-live-news-updates-bjp-congress-aiudf-himata-biswa-sarma-sarbananda-sonawal-rahul-gandhi-akhil-gogoi-badruddin-ajmal-rallies-campaign-968920.html">For latest updates of Assam elections, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>The polling will continue till 6 pm as the duration has been extended by an hour to ensure strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols.</p>.<p>Voters were seen wearing masks and maintaining social distance in the queues.</p>.<p>Over 73.44 lakh voters will exercise their franchise in 10,592 polling stations spread over 13 districts in the Barak Valley, the hill regions and parts of central and lower Assam.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/bengali-speaking-barak-valley-and-hill-districts-in-focus-in-the-second-phase-of-polling-in-assam-968739.html">Bengali-speaking Barak Valley and hill districts in focus in the second phase of polling in Assam </a></strong></p>.<p>A total of 310 companies of security forces have been deployed to carry out strict vigil and prevent any untoward incident.</p>.<p>Around 42,368 polling personnel have been deployed, of whom 1,516 were dispatched two days in advance to far-flung areas, particularly in Dima Hasao and East and West Karbi Anglong district, the officials said.</p>.<p>The ruling BJP is contesting 34 seats, while its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is fighting in six constituencies and the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) in three.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/bjp-will-not-allow-assam-to-become-infiltrators-hub-again-says-amit-shah-968662.html" target="_blank">BJP will not allow Assam to become infiltrators' hub again, says Amit Shah</a></strong></p>.<p>The BJP is engaged in friendly fights with the AGP in Patharkandi and Algapur and the UPPL in Majbat and Kalaigaon.</p>.<p>In the 'Mahajot' (Grand Alliance), the Congress is contesting in 28, the AIUDF in seven and the Bodoland Peoples' Front (BPF) in four.</p>.<p>The newly-floated Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) is contesting in 19 seats.</p>.<p>There is a direct contest between the NDA and the Grand Alliance in 25 seats, while the rest of the constituencies are witnessing a triangular fight.</p>.<p>The three-phase elections to the 126-member assembly began on March 27 for 47 constituencies, registering a voter turnout of 79.97 per cent.</p>.<p>The third and final phase of the elections to the 40 seats will be held on April 6. The votes will be counted on May 2. </p>