Polling largely peaceful, 68 pc turnout

Sixty-eight pc turnout was recorded across Meghalaya where polling was peaceful barring an incident of EVM snatching in Jayantia hills.

A total of 68 per cent turnout was recorded across Meghalaya where polling was peaceful barring one incident of EVM snatching at a polling booth in the Jayantia hills on Wednesday.

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About 35 per cent votes have been cast in Meghalaya before noon today to decide the fate of 333 candidates in the fray for the 60-member assembly, official sources said.

However, polling was reported to be low in interior places like Shella, Warjayantia, Jirang, Mawthengku and Mawhati constituencies with 15 to 20 per cent votes cast.

Former Chief Minister and Congress president S C Marak is contesting from Resubelpara, Chief Minister, Dr F A Khonglam (HSPDP) from Sohra, Deputy Chief Minister, D D Lapang (Cong) from Nongpoh, former Chief Minister E K Mawlong (UDP) from Umroi and former minister and undefeated MLA, D N joshi (Cong) is contesting from Mawprem.

Thirteen political parties are in the fray. Congress alone is contesting all the seats while NCP has fielded 54 candidates, UDP-45, Khnam-22, MDP-18, PDM-8, KFDP-4, Samata Party-3, GNC-7, CPI-3, Samajwadi Party-1, GNC-7, BJP-28, MDP-18 and HSPDP-22.

There are 14 women candidates and 58 independents.

DGP L Sailo told PTI that till now there was no report of any untoward incident from anywhere in the state, and added that altogether 45 companies of Central Para Military, CRPF and state police forces have been deployed for conducting the poll.