Rongbong Terang (president of Asam Sahitya Sabha): For Karbi Anglong, the Election Commission has fixed April 16 as the date of polling. It means officials on election duty would have to leave station on April 13 and they will be away from their families on Bihu, which is on April 14. Everybody loves to celebrate Bihu with their families. Nobody should be deprived of that. The Election Commission should seriously consider these things. If they have time, the date should be reviewed.

Karuna Kanta Kalita (president, Srimanta Sankardev Sangha): Bihu is our life and identity. People from all classes want a few days of freedom to celebrate this biggest annual cultural festival. I think election during Bihu is totally unjustified. We want the polls postponed.

Birendra Nath Dutta (litterateur and folklorist): I feel it will not be sensible to hold Lok Sabha polls in Assam during Rongali Bihu. First, the polls will affect festivities. Bihu will also affect the elections for the reason that many people who will busy celebrating may not come to cast their votes, which may lead to low voter turnout.

Nirupama Borgohain (litterateur): Rongali Bihu is the main festival of Assam as it also marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year. Since most of the people will be busy preparing for and then celebrating Bihu, the decision to hold the elections during the festival is objectionable. I fear that the militants may take advantage of the situation to carry out strikes.

Kandarpa Kumar Deka (vice-chancellor, Dibrugarh University): Well, I do not think there should be much debate on the date of polls now. As the dates have been declared, we need to move ahead with it. I can understand that there are sentiments involved in this issue, but we will also have to realise that certain people are entrusted with certain jobs which they need to perform without being able to celebrate their festivals.

Ananda Bormudoi (Head of the department of English, Dibrugarh University): It would have been nice if the poll dates could have been adjusted. Polling is on April 16, which means that people on poll duty will have to leave for their respective stations a day ahead, on Bihu day. Polling in the lower Assam constituencies on April 16 could impact the polling percentage. The authorities can do a rethink.