Shillong: Meghalaya recorded overall 47.94 per cent polling in the by-elections to three assembly seats till 1.00 PM on Saturday, an election official said.
The by-elections were necessitated following the demise of three sitting legislators David Nongrum from the Mawrynkneng assembly seat, Dr Azad Zaman from the Rajabala assembly seat and Syntar Klas Sunn from the Mawphlang assembly seat.
Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor told UNI that polling was going on smoothly. There were technical glitches in some VVPAT machines, which were quickly replaced.
Kharkongor said the overall voter’s turnout in the three assembly constituencies was 47.94 per cent polling till 1.00 PM.
In the Rajabala assembly constituency in the West Garo Hills district, the voter turnout was 33.12 per cent, while in the Mawphlang seat and Mawrynkneng seat, which are under the East Khasi Hills district, the voter turnout was 45.3 per cent and 44.01 per cent respectively.
Altogether 1,02,695 voters, including 53,106 women, are expected to exercise their right to franchise during the by-elections and seal the fate of 13 candidates.
In all these constituencies, female voters are more than their male counterparts.
In Mawphlang there are 15719 male voters and 17475 female voters, while in Mawryngkneng there are 17765 male and 18986 female voters and in Rajabala there are 16105 male and 16645 female voters.
Strict precaution has been taken to avoid the spread of coronavirus. Social distancing is being observed, and voters have been advised to wear a mask while they wait for their turn.
Men and women in large numbers queued up in front of polling stations well before voting opened at 7 a.m. in the entire state. Polling ends at 4 p.m., the election official said.
Counting of votes will be held on November 2.
