More than 63% polling in first-ever Silchar Municipal Corporation election

“An estimated 63.43% of the total 2.70 lakh electorate voted in the first elections to the Silchar Municipal Corporation on Saturday (October 3, 2026),” officials said.

“Polling ended at 4.30 p.m., but the final turnout figure for all wards was yet to be compiled,” they said.

The highest turnout of 78% was recorded in Ward 1, while the lowest, 50%, was reported from Ward 22. “Polling began on a slow note in the morning due to rain but picked up later in the day,” officials said.

There were no reports of any untoward incident from any of the 42 wards under the corporation. Polling was held in 40 wards as BJP candidates Bijendra Prasad Singh and Bhakti Sen Talukdar were elected unopposed from Wards 9 and 20, respectively.

A total of 133 candidates are in the fray, with 1,29,877 male, 1,40,884 female and 11 third-gender voters eligible to cast their ballots.

The Silchar Municipal Board was upgraded to a 42-ward municipal corporation in 2022 and became operational in June 2025, after the Barak Valley’s leading city remained without an elected civic body for six years.

The ruling BJP-AGP alliance is locked in a direct contest in most wards, while independent candidates are also expected to influence the outcome in some wards.

The BJP has fielded candidates in 38 wards and its ally AGP in four, while the Congress is contesting 38 wards. There are also 52 independent candidates and one CPI(M) nominee in the fray.

Poor road conditions, inadequate drainage, waterlogging, erratic power supply and irregular drinking water supply are among the major issues raised by the candidates.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma campaigned for the NDA candidates earlier this week and promised to improve the condition of roads within a year. Counting of votes will be held on October 6.