Shillong: Polling began in 59 of 60 assembly constituencies in Meghalaya at 7 am on Monday as 21.6 lakh voters are eligible to seal the electoral fate of 369 candidates, with the ruling National People’s Party fighting to retain power and the BJP, Trinamool Congress and other regional parties vying to bring about a change in the government.
Voting is underway at 3,419 polling stations, of which 640 have been categorised as vulnerable’ and 323 as critical’, Chief Electoral Officer F R Kharkongor said.
Over 12.6 % voter turnout in Meghalaya till 9.30 am. Polling will continue till 4 pm.
Candidates like Mariahom Kharkrang, Elgiva Rynjah, AL Hek, Ampareen Lyngdoh, PT Sawkmie cast their votes early morning today.
Thirty-six of the 369 candidates are women, with the largest number of 10 women candidates being put up by the Congress.
Polling in Sohiong assembly constituency has been adjourned due to the death of one of the candidates.
“Over 19,000 polling personnel and 119 companies of CAPFs have been deployed in polling stations. They have been backed by state policemen to maintain law and order,” the CEO said.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is contesting from South Tura constituency where he will lock horns with militant-turned-politician Bernard Marak.
EASTMOJO PREMIUM
Help sustain honest journalism.
Leader of Opposition and TMC leader Mukul Sangma is contesting from two seats Songsak and Tikrikilla. His wife D D Shira is also in the fray.
The Congress and the BJP are contesting 59 seats, while the NPP has put up nominees in 56 constituencies, the TMC in 57 and the UDP in 46.
Also read | Meghalaya: Ex-gratia of Rs 15 lakh to family of polling officer who died on duty