Shillong, Feb 27: Meghalaya had recorded 63.91 percent voter turnout till 3 pm on Monday as the state is in the middle of balloting for electing the members of the 11th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
The highest voter turnout was recorded in the Eastern West Khasi Hills district with 81.71% of voters exercising their franchise. The second-highest turnout was in West Jaintia Hills with 73.00%, followed by Ri Bhoi at 72.17% and East Jaintia Hills at 70.46%.
The North Garo Hills district recorded a turnout of 68.68%, while the South West Khasi Hills district witnessed a voter turnout of 78.68%. The other districts that saw a good turnout were South West Garo Hills at 64.96%, East Khasi Hills at 57.81%, South Garo Hills at 60.39%, and West Khasi Hills at 62.365%.
The voting hours are from 7 am to 4 pm on Monday for all the 12 districts in the state. With the balloting numbers coming in at 3 pm, only one more hour is left for the conclusion of polling to elect 59 members to the 60-member house.
Meghalaya’s voter turnout was 86.65 percent in 2018 Meghalaya Assembly elections.
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 of cardiac arrest on February 20. 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 leader Dr. Mukul Sangma, who is contesting in two seats – Tikrikilla and Songsak, cast his vote at Chengkompara in Ampati, 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.
The election this time are seeing a keen contest among the major political parties in the state, including the Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the National People’s Party among others. The people of Meghalaya are eagerly waiting for the results to be declared on March 2.
