advertisement
Meghalaya witnessed a total voter turnout of 74.32 percent while 83.36 percent of Nagaland voters had their fingers inked on Monday, 27 February, according to the Election Commission.
Voting got underway in the northeastern states at 7 am and went on till 4 pm. The counting of votes for both states, as well as Tripura, will be held on 2 March.
The Election Commission of India had deployed Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) troops, in addition to the police, as part of the security arrangements in the two states.
Meanwhile, bypolls were also held on the same day in Jharkhand's Ramgarh, West Bengal's Sagardighi, and Tamil Nadu's Erode (East). The Tamil Nadu and West Bengal by-elections are a result of the deaths of sitting MLAs, while the Congress legislator from Ramgarh was disqualified.
National People's Party (NPP) president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma cast his vote at a polling station in Tura, that falls under the state's West Garo Hills district.
"People are coming out in large numbers to vote. This is good for democracy. I've not see this kind of voter turnout in the past. We are confident that it'll be in our favour," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Four-time Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio exercised his franchise at a polling station in the state's Kohima district on Monday. Rio is contesting in the elections from the Northern Angami seat in the district.
"Voting is not just a right but a responsibility," the CM face of the Nationalist Progressive Democratic Party (NDPP) tweeted.
In view of the Assembly elections, Prime Minister Modi appealed for voters in both states to exercise their franchise on Monday.
"Urging the people of Meghalaya and Nagaland, particularly the young and first time voters, to vote in record numbers today," he tweeted. Home Minister Amit Shah also appealed for peace as voting kicked off in Nagaland.
59 out of 60 Assembly constituencies are in the fray in Meghalaya on Monday. The only constituency where elections won't be held is East Khasi hill's Sohiong Assembly constituency, due to the death of United Democratic Party leader HDR Lyngdoh.
The fate of 369 candidates will be decided at 3,419 polling stations.
Key Parties: 13 political parties are battling it out in the state Assembly elections. This includes key parties in the region such as Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma's National People's Party, which is contesting 57 seats.
National parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, and Trinamool Congress will also be contesting the Assembly seats, as will 44 independent candidates.
In Nagaland as well, 59 out of 60 Assembly seats are up for grabs, where the fate of 183 candidates will be decided at 2,351 polling booths.
Key Parties: The key parties in Nagaland include Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, which is contesting the elections in an alliance with the BJP, in a 40-20 seat tie-up.
The alliance will be up against the Naga People's Front. Other prominent parties fighting in the elections are Congress and the Communist Party of India.
In the upcoming elections in the state, there are only four women in the fray out of 183 candidates. In the last Assembly elections in 2018, the state saw five woman candidates contest the elections.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
Published: 27 Feb 2023,07:46 AM IST