The counting of votes for Mawryngkneng and Mawphlang constituencies will be carried out at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.
The votes for Rajabala constituency will be counted at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Tura.
Due to the Covid protocols, there will be seven tables per round unlike in pre-pandemic times.
Five VVPAT machines will be selected randomly for counting of the paper slips that will be done under the supervision of the observers who will be assisted by the micro observers.
Election authorities informed that the counting of votes is likely to be completed by 11 am and official announcement of the results is expected by noon.
It may be noted that during the election held on October 30, Mawryngkneng registered a voter turnout of 78.06 per cent while Mawphlang recorded 82.34 per cent. The biggest turnout of voters was in Rajabala at 90.63 per cent.
In Mawryngkneng, the candidates are Highlander Kharmalki (Congress), Pyniaid Sing Syiem (NPP) and three independents – Norbert Myrboh, Esron Marwein and Arbiangkam Kharsohmat.
Mawphlang is witnessing a triangular 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.
The candidates for the Rajabala seat are Hasina Yasmin Mondal (Congress), Abdus Saleh (NPP), Ashahel Shira (UDP), Kingston B. Marak (BJP) and Carla Sangma (Independent).
The election authorities have banned procession and sloganeering of any kind within the premises of the counting centres till completion of counting of votes and declaration of results.
Use of loudspeakers and celebration by any political party or candidates will not be allowed within the premises of the counting venue.
Bursting of crackers on the roads and at public places is strictly prohibited on the day of counting.
Further, no victory procession is allowed after counting. Not more than two shall be allowed to accompany the winning candidate to receive the certificate of election from the returning officer.
No mass gathering or victory rally is allowed for the winning candidate.
The by-polls were necessitated following the deaths of three sitting MLAs — David A. Nongrum (Congress, Mawryngkneng), Azad Zaman (Congress, Rajabala) and Syntar Klas Sunn (Independent, Mawphlang).
