First Phase of Assam Panchayat Election 2025 is happening across 14 districts including Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Majuli, Jorhat, Golaghat, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Sribhumi on May 2.
While in a booth in Ward No. 7 of Medal Sharif Nagar Gaon Panchayat, Sribhumi the polling has stopped. The voting has stopped for 2-4 hours because of a mistake on the ballot paper. One candidate, Jaheda Begam Nurani, who is running for ward member, was shocked to find her election symbol “Cup and Plate” was wrongly printed as “Auto Rickshaw” on the ballots.

After receiving complaints, election commission has stopped the voting at that polling station. An investigation is underway.
This incident has raised concerns on the very first day of the rural elections, which are important ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. With over 50,000 panchayat seats in the state, the elections are highly important. As per reports, the voting has started again in this polling station.