Guwahati, May 3 -- The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown in Assam as the state prepares for the commencement of vote counting on Monday morning. In Lakhimpur district, authorities have established a rigorous three-layer security cordon at the Lakhimpur Government Higher Secondary School to safeguard the integrity of the process for five key Assembly constituencies.

Lakhimpur Deputy Commissioner Aditya Vikram Yadav told ANI that the administrative machinery is primed for a 126-seat battle that will determine if the BJP-led alliance can secure a historic third consecutive term.

The counting of postal ballots will begin at 8:00 AM and EVM vote counting will commence across 14 dedicated tables per centre at 8:30 AM.

In Sivasagar dist...