<span style="color: #222222;">The Chief Electoral Officer in Assam Nitin Khade said that all steps have been taken to conduct peaceful and smooth polls on Saturday. Talking to news persons in Guwahati, Mr. Khade said that a total of 264 candidates including 23 women are in the contest in the first phase. He said that there would be 11 thousand 537 polling stations in the first phase. Mr. Khade mentioned around 88 crore rupees were seized by the various agencies in the state so far.<br />''<br />''On the other hand, IGP Dipak Kedia said that all necessary security arrangements have been put in place to ensure peaceful polling. Mr. Kedia urged all voters to exercise their voting rights without any fear.</span><br />