Shillong,Feb 27:Â Around 31.40 per cent of voting recorded till 1300 hours in Meghalaya, where the polling is currently underway for the 59 Assembly constituencies out of 60 seats.
“31.40 per cent of voters have exercised their franchise till 1300 hours,†said Frederick Roy Kharkongor , Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Meghalaya.
Mr Kharkongor said that VVPAT machines in large number were replaced after it malfunctioned.
According to the CEO, there has been no report of any violence from any part of the Meghalaya .
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma casted his vote at a polling station in Ampati from where he is contesting the polls. He is also contesting from Songsak constituency.
Talking to reporters, Dr Sangma exuded that the Congress party would cross the magic number.
The polling which began at 0700 hours in 3025 polling stations will continue till 1600 hours. To ensure peaceful polling elaborate security arrangements have been put in place across the state. 106 companies of paramilitary troopers have been deployed.
A total of 18,12,440 electorates, would e decide the fate of 361 candidates in the fray of whom 31 are women and 80 independents.
In 183 polling stations, the election is webcasted..
The prominent candidates whose fate would be sealed in the EVM include Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, Assembly Speaker Abu Taher Mondal, two former Chief Ministers – Salseng C Marak and Donkupar Roy, Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh, former Union Minister Agatha K Sangma.
In Williamnagar constituency, the Election Commission is yet to fix the date of where a candidate of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Jonathone Sangma was killed in an IED blast.
The results of the polls would be out on March 3.
