United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate, Balajied Synrem is leading after second rounds of counting of votes for the by-poll to Shella constituency in Meghalaya.
Counting is going on at Sohra.
“The UDP is leading in the first round of counting by 1617 votes as he got 3706 votes. In second place, is Independent candidate, Grace Mary Kharpuri who polled 2089,” Chief Electoral Officer, F R Kharkongor said while updating the progress of counting of votes.
Balajied Synrem is the candidate of the UDP, besides Independent candidate Grace Mary Kharpuri, Congress candidate, Batyngshaiñ Ryngnga, People’s Democratic Front (PDF) Mosjo Wanswet, Independent candidate Komen Laitmon and BJP candidate Joshua Warjri.
In total, 25,191 electorates cast their vote out of 29,790 voters, which saw male voters outdo their opposite sex. There were 12,631 men and 12,560 women who exercised their franchise.
The turnout of voters in the by-poll held on October 21 was 84.56 per cent.
The voting will decide who will be the new MLA of Shella and become the successor of late Donkupar Roy, who had represented the constituency for 31 years for seven consecutive terms since 1988.
The by-election to Shella constituency was necessitated following the demise of sitting MLA Donkupar Roy on July 28.