Shillong, May 28: Polling for the bye election to Ampati Assembly seat ended peacefully with a turnout of 90.55 per cent on Monday.

People came out in large numbers to exercise their franchise and decide the fates of Congress nominee, Miani Dalbot Shira, who is also an eldest daughter of the leader of Opposition, Dr Mukul Sangma, candidate of the National People’s Party, Clement G. Momin and Independent nominee, Subhankar Koch.

Amid tight security and scorching heat, the voting passed off peacefully in 39 polling stations though there have been complaints and counter complaints between the Congress and NPP accusing each other of violating the model code of conduct.

The bye election to the Ampati seat was necessitated after Dr Mukul who represented the constituency since 1993, reassigned as MLA as he was also elected as the MLA of Songsak.

Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer, F.R. Kharkongor told reporters that the voters’ turnout in 24 polling booths recorded more than 90 per cent, in which, Morkona polling booth recorded the lowest turnout at 83.52 per cent, and Jelbongpara polling station recorded the highest at 96.81 per cent.

Ampati constituency recorded a voting of 90.70 per cent in the February-27 Assembly polls.

Kharkongor said that cash worth Rs 9,94,800 was seized from certain individuals in the constituency.

As many as five FIRs were lodged by both Congress and NPP in connection with the violation of model code of conduct.

The Congress also lodged a complaint on Monday that Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma was moving in Ampati on Sunday late night in violation of the model code of conduct.

Kharkongor however said, “No official complaint has been received at my level. I have asked the returning officer and district officer that should such complaint come in black and white, about such kind of violation, then it needs to be ascertained and immediate step be taken. The first step is to file a show cause against the party which has violated the model code of conduct.”

According to the CEO, most of the FIRs have been registered, and cognizable cases have been registered.

“All these cases will be under investigation and the law will take its own course. As there are many FIRs and counter FIRs, proper investigation has to be done,” he said.

Complaints and counter complaints were lodged by the opposition Congress and NPP accusing each other of violating the model code of conduct.

Earlier, the Congress accused NPP leaders including Home Minister, James K. Sangma, South Tura MLA, Agatha K. Sangma of bribing voters at Taktaki village in favour of the NPP candidate.

Similarly, NPP accused the leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma of campaigning even after the campaign period ended at Bollongitok village. But a counter complaint against NPP leader, Ian Bothan Sangma was filed accusing him of staying illegally in Ampati though he is the resident of Tura, and that he (Botham) had filed a false complaint against Mukul who was not present at Bollongitok village on May 26 neither during day time nor at night as alleged.

The Congress also alleged that the Home Minister, South Tura MLA and other NPP workers got into an altercation with Congress workers at Taktaki village and some Congress workers and their vehicles were detained by using their own security personnel.

However the NPP also complained that Congress workers were following NPP leaders during the campaign.

On Monday, Congress candidate, Miani D. Shira lodged another complaint alleging that the member of Garo Hills District Council, Nipen Koch along with Prema Koch and few Khasi men were spotted distributing money at Samatigoan and moved towards Murikati and Bandrikona villages. Many people also gathered at Nipen’s residence.

Miani also complaint that Raksamgre MLA of NPP, Benedict R. Marak assaulted and threatened the headman (Nokma), Menondro Arengh of Thakuranbari village along with armed men (his security personnel). She said that Benedict was seen moving towards Monabari and was last spotted at Rongramgre polling station threatening the villagers not to vote. An FIR was also filed at Monabari police station in this regard.

The Congress candidate also stated in the complaint that accused the chief minister of camping in Ampati and that he was seen passing by Chengkompara infront of her residence with a convoy of 30 vehicles but avoided the cameras placed in Ampati town.

Miani said that there has been scattered violence by NPP workers by trespassing and shouting slogans along with threats and assaults, adding that, “they have created a complete mockery of the model code of conduct.”

She demanded necessary inquiry and immediate action in accordance with relevant sections of the Representation of people’s Act 1951.