Shillong, Feb 28: The final voter turnout for the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly elections has been recorded at 85.17 percent.

Meghalaya went to polls on Monday to elect 59 members to its 11th Legislative Assembly. The polling percentage was around 75 percent at 5 pm on Monday evening, although polling continued till late night in atleast four districts – East Jaintia Hills, Ri Bhoi, South West Garo Hills and West Garo Hills.

With all the Returning Officers (RO) turning in their reports on Tuesday, and after compilation of the data, election commission said the final polling percentage for the voting in 59 constituencies across the State was 85.17 percent.

It may be mentioned that in the last 2018 elections, the turnout of voters was at 86.9 percent.

However, there was no polling in Sohiong constituency as the election for the constituency has been deferred to a later date following the death of United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate H. Donkupar Roy Lyngdoh, who died of cardiac arrest on February 20. The election commission is yet to announce the rescheduled date for polling in the constituency. Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer F.R Kharkongor believes that the State’s final voting percentage can go up when Sohiong goes to polls at a later date, as it is known as a high voting constituency.

As per the data released by the EC, 11 constituencies polled over 90 percent in Monday’s elections. The highest voter turnout was recorded in Mowkaiaw with 92.73 percent, followed by Rajabala with 92.66 percent. Other constituencies with over 90 percent voting are Phulbari (90.39), Selsella (91.71), Dadenggre (90.23), Mairang (90.93), Mawthadraishan (91.70), Nartiang (90.49), Sutnga-Saipung (90.80), Khliehriat (90.75), Amlarem (90.97).

As for low voter turnout, 5 constituencies polled below 70 percent, and all are urban and semi-urban constituencies and under East Khasi Hills district. South Shillong recorded lowest polling at 62.10 percent, followed by East Shillong (64.69), North Shillong (64.76), Nongthymmai (66.58), and West Shillong (67.38). Other 2 constituencies in Khasi-Jaintia Hills region that polled low are Pynthorumkhrah (73.31) and Mawlai (79).

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s constituency of South Tura polled lowest in Garo Hills at 73.65 percent, followed by North Tura at 75.98 percent and Williamnagar with 77.26 percent.

Rest of the constituencies across the State polled above 80 percent.

With the conclusion of the polling, all candidates are now anxiously waiting for March 2 for the announcement of the results.