Guwahati: An estimated 60 per cent of Assam's electorate today (Apr 20, 2004) exercised their franchise as polling ended for the six constituencies in the first phase polls, which was by and large peaceful though minor incidents of disturbances were reported, official sources said.

Unidentified miscreants broke electronic voting machines (EVMs) in polling station number 82 at Kachuabil L P School in Kokrajhar constituency, while five other EVMs were broken in four polling stations in Mangaldoi constituency, forcing voting to be suspended.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...
Political Parties in India

In another incident, villagers of Jortusar under Bogaribari police station in Bilasipara West of Dhubri constituency boycotted the polls as their polling station number 57A was at a considerable distance from the village.

The villagers alleged they had earlier appealed to the authorities that the polling station was far away and it should be changed to a nearer one, but this was not done, forcing the entire village to stay away from the polls.

Unidentified miscreants stormed polling station number 36A at Chakadal under Pathacharkuchi police station in Barpeta constituency and stopped polling for half an hour.

The police rushed to the booth, the miscreants escaped and the situation was brought under control with polling resuming soon after, the sources said.

In another incident, there was a clash between supporters of Congress and AGP candidates in polling station number 17 at Bengbari High School in Udalguri of Kokrajhar constituency and polling was stopped.