Shillong, Apr 19: Lok Sabha polls in the State has been an interesting one in many ways in the State this time. The high voltage campaign by different political parties was witnessed in the last 20 days, where ruling party and the opposition were engaged in war of words.
The ruling party NPP had fielded candidates in both Shillong and Tura, while regional forces came together under the banner of RDA to field its candidate, and another party VPP was all out to attack the ruling party in the State, while seeking for votes.
The voting so far has been peaceful across the State, and at 5 PM the overall turnout was 69.91 percent, with Shillong constituency registering 70.26 percent and Tura registering 69.31 percent voting.
Here are the updates of the day so far:
6:00 AM: Huge turnout reported from different polling stations across the State. A total of 22 lakh voters are registered in Meghalaya, with 31,247 first time voters.
6:30 AM: NPP chief and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma reached at the Walbakgre polling station to cast his vote. He drove the vehicle himself, as he had relieved his driver, security and other officials from his team.
7:30 AM: NPP candidate Agatha K. Sangma arrived at the polling station in Walbakgre, Tura to cast her vote.
9:00 AM: Conrad K. Sangma exercised his franchise at Walbakgre polling station. He was in the queue for close to 2.5 hours and drove back to his residence.
10:17 AM: Agatha K. Sangma cast her vote.
A total of 14,048 polling personnel have been deployed to all 3,512 Polling Stations across the State. Out of total of 2,226,567 voters in the entire state, 1,400,411 voters are in Shillong constituency and 826,156 voters in Tura constituency. The Shillong Parliamentary constituency includes 36 assembly segment, while Tura includes 24 assembly segment.
11:00 AM: NPP candidate for Shillong and Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, INC candidate and sitting MP Vincent Pala had cast their votes, including VPP and RDA candidates. The key fight in Shillong constituency is between Ampareen and Vincent Pala.
12:00 PM: INC candidate for Tura Saleng A Sangma and TMC candidate Zenith Sangma had cast their votes. Both Saleng and Zenith have expressed their enthusiasm over the large voters turnout. Speaking to Hub News, Zenith said that the TMC will have an edge in the election as NPP votes have been divided.
12:30 PM: Speaking exclusively to Hub News, Tura Lok Sabha MP and NPP candidate Agatha K. Sangma said that reports from different parts of Garo Hills indicate a good turnout. “I had to wait in the line for nearly three hours, which shows clearly that people have turnout in numbers to exercise their franchise. It is a very positive sign. In the past the percentage was low, I am sure this time, the turnout will be more. I am very optimistic about the outcome of the result. The entire party and its leadership have worked hard, and we trust and believe in the mandate of the people”.
