There once was a time in Assam when elections used to be about free alcohol and food and lots of fun – especially for the voters in the tea belt and immigrants-dominated areas, where parties used to splurge in the name of campaigning.

But not anymore, thanks to the Election Commission.

Carrying on from where they left in Bihar, the Commission remained the main rival for all the candidates, keeping them on their toes and monitoring their expenses.

Here's how the Commission went about Operation Assam:

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The Commission set down a list of dos and don'ts for the candidates and, more important, ensured that the candidates adhered to the rules.

This ensured that the polls were a very low-key affair this time, much to the dismay of resourceful poll candidates and glee of those fighting the election with limited funds.

Some opposition political parties were happy that the EC was so vigilant in the tea belt, disallowing poll-time sops to tea workers by the resourceful ruling party candidates.

Bharatiya Janata Party tea cell leader Kamakhya Prasad Tasha said: "We wouldn't have matched the rival candidates' electioneering in the tea estates if the EC hadn't have been so strict. It was a blessing in disguise for our candidates, who were fighting the polls with limited resources," he said.

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Whenever a political party organised election meeting anywhere in a constituency, there was an observer to keep a tab on what went on and the expenditure for the meeting.

With strong measures like this, the parties also set up very few offices across the state, as it required permission in advance, unlike in earlier polls.

To use loudspeakers and take out procession, parties had to get permission from the Commission.

The EC even determined the number of posters, banners and graffiti that were used.

The result was there for everyone to see as public and private property remained untouched.

With all screws tightened, the commission drove the final nail by setting up unprecedented security across the state.

Over 350 companies of paramilitary forces were deployed during polls. There were only seven violent incidents during the polling days in the state this time compared to 57 in 2001 polls and 37 during 2004 parliamentary polls.