Shillong (Meghalaya), Feb 27 : Meghalaya went to polls on Monday where 75 percent voter turnout was recorded at the time of filing the story.
CEO , Meghalaya , FR Kharkongor while addressing media this evening said that the percentage of polling has been 75 percent . However , the figures are likely to increase as the exact figures are likely to increase .
“The polling was by and large peaceful”, he said .
“Polling is being held in a free and fair manner. No untoward incident has been reported,” he said.
Malfunctioning of EVMs was reported in a few polling booths but these were later fixed, the CEO said.
Voting took place in 3,419 polling stations, of which 640 have been categorised as ‘vulnerable’ and 323 as ‘critical’.
“Over 19,000 polling personnel and 119 companies of CAPFs have been deployed across the state. They have been backed by state policemen to maintain law and order,” the CEO said.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is contesting from the South Tura constituency. Leader of Opposition and TMC leader Mukul Sangma is contesting from two seats – Songsak and Tikrikilla while his wife D D Shira is also in the fray.
The CEO also informed reporters that an Assam MLA had made a statement that “residents of Assam” in six police stations of Mawhati constituency along the disputed border will not be allowed to vote.
However, the matter was resolved after governments of both states took cognisance of this, he said.
Enforcement agencies have made the seizure of drugs, cash and freebies which was 20 times higher this year as compared to 2018.
The exit polls are also out now where Conrad K Sangma led National People’s Party (NPP) enjoys a clear edge over their rivals according to a survey conducted by Matrize.
The NPP is likely to get more than 21-26 seats followed by Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) which is set to get around 8-10 seats, show the exit poll of Zee Media.
NPP – 21-26
TMC-8-13
BJP- 6-11
Cong- 3-6
OTH- 10-19
Nearly 75 percent of 21.6 lakh electors exercised their franchise in the Meghalaya Assembly elections, as polling remained largely peaceful since morning. Polling began in 59 of the 60 assembly constituencies in the northeastern state at 7 am. Voting has been peaceful with long queues at several polling stations.
A total of 369 candidates are in the fray.
The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) is fighting to retain power and the BJP, Trinamool Congress and other regional parties vying to bring about a change in the government. A total of 323 booths have been identified as critical while 84 booths are both critical and vulnerable.
The result will be declared on March 2.
Polling in Sohiong has been postponed due to the death former Home Minister H D R Lyngdoh .
