Shillong, Apr 19 (UNI) An estimated 69.91 percent of the total 22,26,567 electorate have cast their ballots as polling for the two Lok Sabha seats - Shillong and Tura - in Meghalaya, passed off peacefully on Friday.
Polling commenced at 7 am in 3,512 polling stations across Meghalaya. By late afternoon at 3 pm the voter turnout was 61.95 percent and it was 69.91 per cent at the end of the polling.
“The percentage figure is expected to increase as we are yet to get reports from far-flung polling stations,” Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Dr. B.D.R. Tiwari told UNI.
He said polling was conducted in a peaceful, free and fair manner.
During the polling, Tiwari informed some VVPATs developed technical snags and were promptly replaced.
“55 VVPATs were replaced after they developed snags, which was 1.57 percent of the total VVPATs. Another 21 Balloting Units and 22 Controlling Units were replaced due to technical problems,” the Election official said.
The voter turnout was high for the Shillong seat which registered a turnout of 70.26 percent while Tura registered 69.31 by 5 pm. This is a complete turnaround because normally Tura has a higher voter turnout than for the Shillong seat.
During the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the voter turnout for the Tura seat was 81.37 percent, and for the Shillong seat it was 65.47 percent.
The overall voter turnout was 71.43 percent during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
The high voting percentage for the Shillong Lok Sabha seat can be attributed to the large section of electorates coming out to vote in the Jaintia Hills region and in other rural constituencies of Khasi-Jaintia hills-Ri-Bhoi region.
By 5 pm the six assembly segments of Jaintia Hills registered a voter turnout of over 70 percent.
However, urban apathy was apparent again with many of these constituencies registering low voter turnout, especially in the East, West, North and South Shillong seats with a voting percentage registered about 60 or less by 5 pm.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has filed a case against Hynñiewtrep A’chik National Movement leader, Lamphrang Kharbani for circulating the picture of EVM where he cast his vote for NPP candidate Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh.
Six candidates are vying for the Shillong Lok Sabha seat, which is currently represented by Vincent H Pala of the Congress, who is seeking re-election for the fourth consecutive term.
There are four candidates in the electoral battle for Tura Lok Sabha seat which is held by Agatha K Sangma of the National People’s Party (NPP).
The BJP, a constituent of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government is supporting the National People’s Party (NPP’s) nominees Agatha Sangma for the Tura seat and lone woman cabinet minister Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh in the Conrad Sangma ministry for the Shillong seat.
The Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA), an alliance between the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), has fielded Robertjune Kharjahrin, while the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) has fielded Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon. Two Independent candidates, professor Lakhon Kma and advocate Peter Shallam are also contesting for the prestigious Shillong LS seat.
In Tura parliamentary constituency, Zenith Sangma, the brother of former Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, is the Trinamool Congress candidate, while former state cabinet minister Saleng Sangma of the Congress and Independent candidate Laben Ch Marak are also in the fray.
UNI RRK CS