Tura, Oct 30: A high turnout of 90 percent polling has been registered across Rajabala constituency during the by-election on Saturday and the voting percentage is going to go up further since there are still some polling parties that have not been able to communicate with Tura headquarters to provide the final tally.
There are 58 polling stations in Rajabala constituency which comprises the hills and the plain belt region.
Three days after clashes broke out between Congress and NPP leading to ransacking of the house of an NPP supporter allegedly by congress goons who attacked the house with hundreds of stones being pelted damaging tin roofs, windows, vehicles and household goods, polling was peaceful with no reports of any attacks or confrontation being registered.
The swift action by the election officials, including police, which arrested as many as ten prime accused in inciting the violence seems to have brought the situation under control. All ten accused, mostly belonging to the congress, are now in jail after the district court in Tura sent them to judicial custody.
By the time polling came to a close at 5 PM Rajabala constituency had the highest voting percentage of 90.63%, far in front of the two other Khasi Hills seats also voting on the same day. Mawryngkneng registered only 74.69% and Mawphlang 75.97%.
In Rajabala the lowest voting percentage was at Masangpani polling station in the hills with just 78.11 percent while Garodubi experienced the highest percentage of 97.4 percent voting.
“Many polling parties are yet to arrive so the figure will change, but currently it has crossed the 91 percent mark,” said District Election Officer Ram Singh.
The three top contenders in the fray for Rajabala are Congress candidate Hashina Yasmin Mondol, who happens to be the widow of congress legislator Dr Azad Zaman, NPP’s Abdus Saleh, a three time legislator from Mahendraganj and the UDP’s Ashahel D Shira, a former MLA of Rajabala.
Two other candidates in the fray are Kingstone B Marak of the BJP and Independent candidate Carla R SAngma.
