Polling in Meghalaya's Sohyeong seat was postponed due to the death of a candidate. Allegations of proxy voting took place at a polling station in the Nongthimmai constituency in the state's East Khasi Hills district.
New Delhi: Over 76 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the Meghalaya Assembly elections on Monday and the polling was by and large peaceful. Around 76.57 per cent of votes were recorded till 5 pm, the Election Commission said. There was no major untoward incident in the hill state on election day. At the same time, you that the voting on the Sohiong seat of Meghalaya was postponed due to the death of a candidate.
Allegations of proxy voting took place at a polling station in the Nongthimmai constituency in the state's East Khasi Hills district. According to sources, the Election Commission has ordered an inquiry into the incident after some voters at Mizo Modern High School, a polling station in Nongrim Hills, complained that they could not cast their votes, though a re-poll has not been ordered so far. East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner S.C. Sadhu said, “We are probing the matter.”
Voting began at 7 am in 59 seats of the 60-member assembly in the northeastern state of Meghalaya. The election result will decide the fate of 369 candidates. The ruling National People's Party (NPP) has retained power, while the BJP, Trinamool Congress and other regional parties are fighting for power. Chief Minister Konrad Sangma is in the fray from the South Tura assembly seat, where he is pitted against militant-turned-politician Bernard Marak.
Leader of the Opposition and Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Sangma is contesting from two seats, Songsak and Tikrikilla. The ruling NPP has fielded its candidates on 56 seats. Congress and BJP are contesting on 59 seats, while Trinamool Congress is trying its luck on 57 seats. United Democratic Party (UDF) has 46 candidates in the fray.