Assam: Protests in Sivasagar against Election Commission’s delimitation report

Protests erupted in Assam’s Sivasagar district on Saturday against the Election Commission’s final delimitation report for Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies in the state, reported PTI.

In its order, the poll panel retained the total number of Assembly seats at 126 and Lok Sabha seats at 14. However, it revised the name of one Parliamentary and 19 Assembly constituencies.

The demonstrations in Sivasagar were held against the decision to not keep Lahowal and Amguri Assembly constituencies intact in Sivasagar district and including areas of Sivasagar in seats that fall under adjoining districts.

The All Tiwa Students’ Association also expressed discontent over striking off Morigaon from the list of seats reserved for the Scheduled Tribes category. The students’ body questioned the government’s commitment to Tiwa indigenous rights.

The Election Commission has increased the number of constituencies reserved for Scheduled Tribes from 16 to 19 and the number of seats set aside for Scheduled Castes from eight to nine.

Members of the Opposition party Raijor Dal also protested against the delimitation final report near Sivasgar town and blocked the national highway, reported PTI. Raijor Dal president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi said that the status of final Election Commission order depends on how the Supreme Court deals with the petitions challenging...

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