Meghalaya Election 2023, Election 2023 Highlights: Elections in 59 of 60 assembly constituencies in Meghalaya has concluded. Polling in the Sohiong assembly constituency has been deferred due to the death of its candidate during an election campaign. A total of 21.6 lakh voters are eligible to seal the electoral fate of 369 candidates, including 10 women, with the ruling National People’s Party fighting to retain power and the BJP, Trinamool Congress and other regional parties vying to bring about a change in the government.
Chief Electoral Officer F R Kharkongor said voting is underway at 3,419 polling stations, of which 640 have been categorised as ‘vulnerable’ and 323 as ‘critical’. He said that over 19,000 polling personnel and 119 companies of CAPFs have been deployed in polling stations, along with the state police to maintain law and order and to ensure a free and fair election.
Meghalaya Election 2023 Live Updates: Voting is underway in Meghalaya. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma is contesting from South Tura.
For the Meghalaya elections, the voter turnout stands at 74.32 per cent till 5 PM.
For the Meghalaya Assembly elections, voter turnout stood at 63.91 per cent till 3 PM.
The voter turnout till 1 PM stood at 44.73 per cent for the Meghalaya Assembly elections.
# GO ASSIST
— Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya (@ceomeghalaya) February 27, 2023
Election Friend /Matdata Mitras poll volunteers assisting PWD volunteers & senior citizens @SpokespersonECI @ECISVEEP @PIBShillong pic.twitter.com/mUUkrKBHZG
Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma cast his vote at Walbakgre -29 polling station in Tura, Garo Hills
— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2023
"People coming out in large no. 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 says. pic.twitter.com/wFkELDuNpE
Till 11 AM, voter turnout for Meghalaya elections stood at 26.70 per cent.
“I feel that my vote & people's vote will decide that I will win this constituency as an MLA, says Ernest Mawrie, Meghalaya BJP chief and party's candidate from West Shillong constituency, after casting his vote.
Meghalaya's first temporary polling station set up especially for lepers in Leprosy colony in Nongpoh.
States first temporary polling station set up especially for lepers in Leprosy colony Nongpoh Meghalaya@SpokespersonECI @ECISVEEP @PIBShillong pic.twitter.com/1UNPx8HX9G
— Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya (@ceomeghalaya) February 27, 2023
Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor said that polling process has been peaceful largely. No untoward incident have been reported.
The voter turnout for the Meghalaya Assembly election stood at 12.06 per cent till 9 AM.
States first temporary polling station set up especially for lepers in Leprosy colony Nongpoh Meghalaya@SpokespersonECI @ECISVEEP @PIBShillong pic.twitter.com/1UNPx8HX9G
— Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya (@ceomeghalaya) February 27, 2023
Congress
Meghalaya has more than 21 lakh (21,75,236) electorates, including 10.99 lakh women and 10.68 lakh men who will decide the fate of 369 candidates, reported ANI. There are about 81,000 first-time voters in the state.
The Election Commission has deployed 119 companies of Central Armed Police Forces in Meghalaya. Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya FR Kharkongor told ANI that 640 polling stations are identified as 'vulnerable', 323 are 'critical' and 84 are identified as both.
Prime Minister Narendra modi took to Twitter and urged the people of Meghalaya and Nagaland to cast their votes in record numbers. “Urging the people of Meghalaya and Nagaland, particularly the young and first time voters, to vote in record numbers today,” Modi tweeted.
First five early voters receiving momentos to encourage early voting.Also first time voter,18 plus felicitated
— Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya (@ceomeghalaya) February 27, 2023
@SpokespersonECI
@ECISVEEP
@PIBShillong pic.twitter.com/meLr3blSle
Voting for the Meghalaya Assembly elections has begun amid tight security. Polling is being held at 3,419 polling booths across 59 Assembly constituencies in the state. The voting will continue till 4 pm.
First five early voters receiving momentos to encourage early voting.Also first time voter,18 plus felicitated
— Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya (@ceomeghalaya) February 27, 2023
@SpokespersonECI
@ECISVEEP
@PIBShillong pic.twitter.com/meLr3blSle
There are over 21 lakh electorates (21,75,236) of which 10.99 lakh are women and 10.68 lakh are male voters. A total of 81,000 first-time voters are eligible to exercise their franchise this time. As many as 369 candidates are in the fray of which 36 are women.
Polling for the Sohiong Assembly constituency was postponed following the demise of the state's former Home Minister and United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate from the seat HDR Lyngdoh. Therefore, elections are taking place in 59 Assembly constituencies.
Voting for the Meghalaya Assembly elections began amid tight security on Monday at 7 AM and will continue till 4 PM. Of the 60 Assembly constituencies in Meghalaya, 36 constituencies fall in Khasi, Jaintia Hills region while 24 are in Garo Hills region.
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The current term of the 60-seat Meghalaya Legislative Assembly will conclude on March 15. The majority mark to form government in the state is 31. In the 2018 Assembly polls, the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) got 19 seats, Congress bagged 21 seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to win two seats. The United Democratic Party (UDP) grabbed six seats.