GHADC records 69.42 percent voter turnout

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 12, 2021

Almost seventy percent electorate on Monday voted for the 29 seats in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in a peaceful manner.

No untoward incidents were reported from any of the five districts as people defied the call for a poll boycott by a group of social organizations.

About 69.42 per cent of the 7.43 lakh voters casted their votes deciding the fate of as many as 182 candidates belonging to five different political parties and independents, District Council Affairs (DCA) officials said here.

They informed that the percentage may go up since the figures provided are only up to 5 o’clock as information from polling stationis in remote areas are yet to be received adding the percentage of the overall turnout will be available tomorrow.

So far, South West Garo Hills district has recorded the highest turnout of voters at 76.34 percent followed by South Garo Hills district at 73.08 percent.

In the other three districts, the turnout of voters in West Garo Hills district was recorded at 60.95 percent, North Garo Hills district at 69.34 percent and East Garo Hills district at 67.37 percent.

A total of 182 candidates are vying for the 29 seats in GHADC of which there are only 8 women candidates while 75 candidates are contesting as independents.

Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure free and fair elections across the five districts of Garo Hills.

The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) and the opposition Congress have fielded candidates in all the 29 seats followed by the BJP in 21 seats and UDP in 8 seats.

With the fate of the candidates securely locked in the EVMs, the GHADC is now waiting to find out the count of votes secured by the aspiring candidates when the results are declared on April 15.

Barring one incident in the Tura Government College where voters were turned back despite reporting before the cut off time of 4 PM, there were no reports of anyone being denied their franchise. In the case of the Tura Government College, the officer in question refused to allow voters to cast their votes despite them being well within time. The DC of WGH, Ram Singh, despite requests could not help change the situation leading to many having to return without casting their vote.

Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma along with his wife were seen in the polling line at about 11:30 AM at Walbakgre while the former CM and opposition leader, Mukul Sangma along with his wife and Mahendraganj MLA, Dikkanchi D Shira were seen casting their vote in Chengkompara near Ampati towards the afternoon. Power minister, James Sangma was pictured casting his vote in Dadenggre this afternoon.