Lok Sabha polls: Meghalaya registers 72.33% voter turnout till 7pm
Meghalaya has recorded an overall voter turnout of 72.33% on Friday’s polling for the two parliamentary constituencies – Shillong and Tura.
The percentage of voter turnout this year is expected to increase much more compared to the last Lok Sabha elections held in 2019, which was at 71.42%.
Till 7pm, the turnout percentage recorded at 72.33%.
Altogether there are a total of 10 candidates of which 6 are from Shillong parliamentary constituency and 4 from Tura parliamentary constituency.
“We are yet to get the final polling percentage but once the final figure comes, we are sure that the overall polling percentage will increase,” chief electoral officer (CEO) Dr BDR Tiwari told reporters.
He however said that the voting percentage in Shillong parliamentary constituency has increased but Tura has decreased.
“Till 5pm, the polling percentage for Shillong was at 70.26% and Tura at 69.31%,” he said while adding that in 2019, the voting percentage for Tura was at 81.38% and Shillong at 65.48%.
Expressing happiness that the elections have passed off peacefully without any untoward incidents, the CEO said, “I am very happy to inform you that the elections for the 18th Lok Sabha have been completed in a peaceful manner. There was no incident reported from anywhere. Elections have been held in a peaceful and festive manner.”
He informed that altogether during mock poll and polling 47 BU, 34 CU and 109 VVPATs got replaced and all replacement has been done well within time. According to him, webcasting was done in over 1886 polling stations for monitoring the entire polling process.
On model code of conduct (MCC) violations, Dr Tiwari said, “It was brought to our knowledge also and cognizance has been taken by the returning officer of Shillong. An FIR has been filed. RO has taken cognizance and needful appropriate action has been taken.”
He was referring to incidents of voters clicking photographs of an EVM machine to show their support to a particular party and carrying the physical symbol of a party while casting votes.
Asked if such votes will be counted invalid, the CEO however said, “It will be very difficult as it is once we properly examine the entire matter accordingly all the needful action will be taken.”
He also maintained that the model code of conduct will remain in force till election results are declared on June 4.
Meanwhile, the CEO informed that elaborate security arrangements are in place for safeguarding the 13 strong rooms across the 12 districts and 1 civil sub division.
“7 companies of the CAPF will be engaged and detailed plans have been worked out by the police in consultation with the respective deputy commissioners and SDO so all needful arrangements have been put in place for security of the strong rooms. There are 13 strong rooms of which 12 are in the district headquarters and 1 in Sohra civil subdivision,” he said.
According to him, counting will also be held in all 13 places.
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immediate strict action should be taken to the person who has violated the ECI guidelines law and order,law must be equal to every category and citizens of India and conducting crime as per the law and order of model code of conduct act.
the one who has conducted such act/ crime should be punish as per the law and order under MCC act so that no one will dare to conduct the same act in future for the safety of the voters.