The voting for the two district councils in Meghalaya on Wednesday witnessed brisk voting with Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council recording around 85.60 per cent and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council recording around 76.63 per cent turnout.
Despite inclement weather people came out to cast their vote on Wednesday in 1,433 polling stations of the 29 constituencies in KHADC, and 408 polling booths in the 29 constituencies of JHADC, according to reports.
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Security was deployed in all polling stations especially in critical and vulnerable booths.
Counting of votes will take place on March 2.
The KHADC has a total of 7,51,065 voters, while the JHADC has 2,21,725 voters.
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Though the weather was quite cold accompanied by wind and light rain, people came out later in the day to cast their votes.
Political parties which fielded candidates include the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), United Democratic Party (UDP), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), People’s Democratic Front (PDF) besides the opposition Congress – are contesting the elections apart from Independents.
As many as 131 candidates are in the fray from 29 constituencies of the KHADC and 101 candidates from 29 constituencies of the JHADC. There are eight women candidates, and eight former legislators and former ministers are also in the fray.
Two MLAs are also contesting the elections to the KHADC which include chairman of the Meghalaya State Planning Board and Independent MLA from Nongkrem, Lambor Malngiang and NPP legislator from Mawshynrut, Gigur Myrthong.
Altogether, 2,745 electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used, and for the first time while the ‘None of the Above (NOTA)’ button was also being introduced in the EVMs for the polls.
Seven EVMs were reported to have failed to function in some polling stations under the KHADC and six EVMs malfunctioned in the JHADC, but they were replaced immediately.