The vibrant campaign period for Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections has officially drawn to a close. Officials confirmed on Saturday, September 20, 2025, that all campaigning activities have ceased, paving the way for the polls.
These significant elections will see 40 constituencies across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) head to the ballot box on September 22nd. The BTC is the governing body for the BTR, an autonomous region comprising five districts in north-central and western Assam, all sharing a border with Bhutan.
Remarkably, the campaign phase was largely peaceful, with only one notable incident: a clash between supporters of the ruling United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) and their rivals, the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), which occurred in Kokrajhar district’s Baukhungri constituency on September 9th.
Returning officers in the concerned districts have issued directives, signaling the mandatory 48-hour silence period before the elections. The State Election Commission has announced that voting will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. across 3,359 polling stations. Should fresh polls be required, they will follow the same schedule on September 24th, two days before the votes are counted.
During this electoral silence, a strict order is in place: no individual is permitted to organize, attend, or address any public meeting or procession related to the election. Furthermore, displaying election-related material through cinematography, television, or similar devices, or engaging in propaganda via musical concerts, theatrical performances, or other public entertainment, is strictly prohibited.
The BTC elections involve a substantial electorate of 2.66 million voters, including 1.33 million women and 17 individuals categorized as ‘others’.
A Riveting Three-Way Contest
A total of 316 candidates are vying for seats in the BTC elections, with 52 in Baksa, 56 in Chirang, 100 in Kokrajhar, 40 in Tamulpur, and 68 in Udalguri district. The electoral battle is widely expected to be a gripping three-way contest involving the UPPL, the BPF, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Currently, the UPPL governs the BTC through an alliance with the BJP and the regional Gana Suraksha Party. However, the BJP, keen to expand its influence within the BTR, opted against a pre-poll alliance with the UPPL this time, a departure from the 2020 elections. This decision means that candidates from both parties will directly compete in 30 constituencies.
The BPF, a former ally of the BJP which had a brief partnership with the Congress party, is determined to reclaim power in the BTR after a five-year hiatus. The party previously held control of the tribal council for an impressive 17 years, from 2003.
Among the most closely watched constituencies are Dotma and Goibari, where BTC chief and UPPL president Pramod Boro is contesting both seats. In Dotma, he faces the incumbent Prakash Basumatary of the BPF and Manoranjan Brahma of the BJP. In Goibari, his primary opponent is Jiten Muchahary of the BPF.
Kampa Borgoyari, the BTC’s former deputy chief, is also contesting two constituencies: Debargaon and Chirang Duars. His main adversary in both seats is BPF chief Hagrama Basumatary, a former extremist who previously led the BTC for 17 years.
Other key constituencies attracting significant attention include Salakati and Bhairabkunda. Sitting Kokrajhar East MLA Lawrence Islary of the UPPL is competing against Derhasat Basumatary of the BPF and Kabita Basumatary of the BJP in Salakati. Meanwhile, the BTC’s current deputy chief, Gobinda Basumatary of the UPPL, will challenge former Assam Minister Rihon Daimary of the BPF and Minon Mushahary of the BJP in Bhairabkunda.