The Election Commission (EC) has set up 13 counting centres for the counting of votes for Meghalaya assembly elections.
Counting of votes will be held on March 2 at 8 am across the State which includes 12 in the district headquarters and one in Sohra civil sub-division.
Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor informed that 22 companies of the central armed police forces have been retained by the police for guarding the strong room and also for any post poll contingencies.
ECI has deployed 27 counting observers and about 549 micro observers.
A total of 369 candidates, including 36 women, are contesting the elections. In the 2018 Assembly polls, 329 candidates, including 32 women, had fought the elections.
Though Meghalaya has a 60-member assembly, polling in Sohiong constituency was adjourned following the death of former home minister and UDP candidate, HDR Lyngdoh.
The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) is vying to retain power in the northeastern state, while the BJP, Trinamool Congress and other regional parties are hoping to bring about a change in the government.
The BJP and the Congress have put up 60 candidates each, while the ruling NPP has fielded 57 candidates. The Trinamool Congress has fielded 56 candidates, UDP 46, HSPDP 11, PDF 9, Gana Suraksha Party one, Garo National Council two, Janata Dal (United) three, Republican Party of India two, Republican Party of India (Athawale) six, Janata Dal (United) three, Voice of the People Party 18. In all 44 independent candidates are also contesting the elections.
According to exit polls, there will be a hung assembly in Meghalaya. There will be tough fight in Meghalaya with Conrad Sangma’s National People’s Party likely to emerge as the single-largest party. In Meghalaya, Sangma’s NPP tipped to bag 21-26 seats to
Exit polls by various channels on Monday predicted a hung house in Meghalaya. Meghalaya has a 60-member Assembly, with a magic figure being 31. There is a strong possibility that state regional parties would play a key role in government formation.
