Shillong, Feb 27: Meghalaya had recorded a voter turnout of 26.7 per cent at 11 am on Monday as the state began polling to elect 59 members to the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
The voting started at 7 am and would continue till 4 pm without break in the 12 districts of the State on Monday.
The voter turnout was at 10.55 percent at 9 am.
The polling is not being held in Sohiong Assembly Constituency in East Khasi Hills district following the death of United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate H. Donkupar Roy Lyngdoh, who died on February 20 due to cardiac arrest. The election commission is yet to announce the rescheduled date for polling in the constituency.
A total of 369 candidates, including 36 women, are contesting the 2023 Meghalaya Assembly elections. In the 2018 Assembly polls, 329 candidates, including 32 women, had fought the elections.
Around 21.75 lakh electorate including 10.92 lakh women are eligible to exercise their franchise in the elections.
By the time of filing this report, many well-known leaders had already cast their vote such as Chief Minister and NPP Chief Conrad K Sangma at Walbakgre LP School in South Tura constituency, James K Sangma in Dadenggre, Hamletson Dohling at East Lummawbah B Polling Station in Mylliem, Alan West Kharkongor at Marai Ka Phon Polling Station in Sohra, Mohendro Rapsang at Jaïaw Langsning in North Shillong, Macdalyn Sawkmie Mawlong at Nongpoh, Sosthenes Sohtun in Jirang among others.
Other leaders who had voted include Meghalaya TMC’s George B Lyngdoh at Umroi, Meghalaya TMC State President Charles Pyngrope at Poksheh in Nongthymmai, Alphonsush R. Marak at Nengsanggre in Williamnagar, A. Andrew Shullai’s at Mission compound polling station n Jowai, Dr Saralin Dorphang at Umlaper in Mawhati, Miani D.Shira at Chengkompara in Ampati among others.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya was behind Nagaland in voter turnout at 11 am as the neighbouring north east State had recorded a turnout of 39.08 percent.
