Shella by-poll records 84.56 voter turnout

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 21, 2019

SHILLONG: The overall poll percentage for the bye election to the Shella Assembly seat was recorded at 84.56 per cent.

“The final voter turnout was recorded at 84.56 per cent. The conduct of the by poll was by and large peaceful without any untoward incidents,” State’s chief electoral officer Frederick Roy Kharkongor told reporters on Monday.

However, polling percentage has dropped by 1.84 percent compared to the last 2018 Assembly polls at 86.40 per cent.

Kharkongor said there is only one case of VVPAT machine malfunctioning reported at Laitiam polling “It was immediately replaced and voting assumed normally,” he informed.

He said over 23,782 of 29,763 voters which include 12,066 women and 11,716 men have exercised their franchise during the bye-election held in 58 polling stations. Polling began at 7 am and ended at 5 pm.

The constituency has 701 male and 673 female voters in the age group 18 to 19 years. 127 voters belonged to the category of persons with disabilities.

Wahutim polling station has recorded the highest number of voter turnout at 92.86 percent while the lowest is MeSEB/MCCL polling station with only 47.37 per cent.

Earlier during the day, rainfall also slowed down the polling process but later when it stopped brisk voting took place, Kharkongor.

As part of the green initiatives, he said a model green polling station was also set up besides encouraging the use of cane, bamboo, clay products and cloth banners.

Kharkongor informed that no seizure of money was made but 823.67 litres of liquor worth over Rs 1.22 lakh was seized from the day the model code of conduct came into force.

The bye-election was necessitated following the demise of sitting MLA, Donkupar Roy on July 28.

Roy who was the MLA of Shella since 1988, was also the Speaker of the 10th Meghalaya Assembly and president of the United Democratic Party (UDP).

The six candidates in the fray include Donkupar’s son, Balajied Synrem who is the candidate of the UDP, Independent candidate, Grace Mary Kharpuri, Congress candidate, Batyngshaiñ Ryngnga, People’s Democratic Front (PDF) Mosjo Wanswet, Independent candidate, Komen Laitmon, and BJP candidate, Joshua Warjri.

Meanwhile, counting will be held on October 24. The chief electoral officer further informed that he would hold review on the various procedures including selection of the VVPATs for cross checking and matching of the votes polled, tomorrow.

He said inspection would also be conducted at the SDO Civil Sohra counting centre.

A three-tier security arrangement is being made for counting day. Kharkongor said one company of Central Armed Police Force would be retained to guard the strong room.