Shillong, Oct 30: The polling for three Assembly seats got underway amidst tight Covid-19 SOPs on Saturday morning in Meghalaya. Polling for bye-elections to Mawphlang, Mawryngkneng and Rajabala constituency began around 7 am.
The electorates had to maintain the mandatory 6 feet distance and undergo a temperature check at all polling stations before they could cast their vote.
At 5 PM, the overall polling percentage across the three constituencies was 80.43 percent. The constituency wise polling was recorded at Mawryngneng – 74.69 %, Mawphlang – 75.97%, Rajabala – 90.63%.
West Garo Hills Returning Officer, two VVPAT machines malfunctioned – at Batabari and Old Bhaitbari, but were replaced with spare at the start of polling.
After casting his vote, United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate from Mawphlang, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, said he is confident of winning the poll.
NPP candidate from Mawphlang, Lamphrang Blah, after casting his vote at Mawkohmon, said he expects voters to come out in big numbers.
Congress candidate Kennedy Cornelius Khyriem also expressed confidence of his win. He said his contender was only UDP and dismissed the contest from NPP.
He further stated that this election is like a final for him which will reflect on his chances in 2023 Assembly elections. “If I win this election, it will be easy for me in the 2023. I don’t see it as a semi finals but as a final,” he said.
As for the polling, the voter turnout is expected to rise as the day progresses, especially in the afternoon.
