By-elections to the three Assembly constituencies in Meghalaya was estimated at 80. 86 per cent as the voting concluded at 6 pm on Saturday under strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
The polling which started at 7 am proceeded peacefully across 638 polling booths in Mawryngkneng, Mawphlang and Rajabala constituencies, Chief Election Officer FR Kharkongor said.
In Mawphlang constituency, the turnout was 76.90 per cent Mawryngkneng at 75.06 per cent and Rajabala, with an excellent turnout at 90.63 per cent, he informed.
Kharkongor the figures could increase since the final tally is still being awaited.
The CEO also said that polling was peaceful in all the three constituencies and there were no untoward incidents.
“There was good and enthusiastic participation from voters of all age groups,” Kharkongor said.
He also said that the EVM machines functioned smoothly except in six polling stations across the three constituencies, where there were minor glitches to the VVPAT paper trails which were replaced immediately by the poll officials.
Kharkongor also informed that with the bye- elections being held amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, accessories like disposable gloves to press the EVM machines, sanitizers and thermal scanners were used and social distancing were maintained to a large extent.
The CEO also informed that a new variant (M-3) of the EVMs was used during polls. He said that the new variant had extra security features and the most important being that an Unauthorized Access Detection Module circuit has been embedded in the EVM that resets into factory mode if unauthorized attempts are made to the EVM.
Moreover the M-3 EVMs are sleeker and lighter with accurate battery protection and other features. “These EVMs were used for the first time in the state with the added security features,” the CEO informed.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for guarding the strong rooms where the EVM machines are being kept.
For the strong rooms in Shillong there will be three layer security and for that in Tura there will be two layered security.
Kharkongor also informed that elaborate arrangements have been made for the counting of votes which will be held on November 2.
According to the CEO two counting centres have been set up in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong for the two constituencies of Mawryngkneng and Mawphlang and one counting centre in Tura for the Rajabala seat.
The by-polls to the three Assembly seats were necessitated following the deaths of three sitting MLAs — David A Nongrum (Congress, Mawryngkneng), Syntar Klas Sunn (Independent, Mawphlang) and Azad Zaman (Congress, Rajabala).
In all, 13 candidates have entered the fray to contest the by-elections. NPP which is a leading partner of MDA and Congress are contesting in all the three seats.
In Mawryngkneng, the candidates are Highlander Kharmalki (Congress), Pyniaid Sing Syiem (NPP) and three independents – Norbert Myrboh, Esron Marwein and Arbiangkam Kharsohmat.
The UDP is supporting the NPP candidate in Mawryngkneng.
Mawphlang is witnessing a three-corner contest. Former MLA Kennedy C. Khyriem (Congress), sitting MDC Lamphrang Blah (NPP) and former soccer star Eugeneson Lyngdoh (UDP) are in the fray from the seat.
There is a total of 1, 02,695 eligible voters in the three Assembly seats, 53,106 are female voters. Mawryngkneng has a total of 36,751 voters, Mawphlang with 33,194 voters and 32,750 voters in Rajabala constituency.
