SHILLONG/KOHIMA: Voting ended peacefully on Saturday in the Meghalaya assembly elections as people defied a shutdown called by an outlawed group to cast their ballots."An estimated of 81 per cent voters have cast their ballot till 4pm across the state. We expect the percentage to increase to 85 per cent or more," chief electoral officer Prashant Naik told IANS.
"The final voting figure would be available later", he added.
"Polling has been conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner with no report of major incidents," Naik said. However, he said there were reports of snags in some electronic voting machines (EVMs) but were replaced.
The Border Security Force (BSF) stepped up patrolling along the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya following the shutdown called by Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).
"We have put our troopers on high alert all along the Bangladesh border to prevent possible infiltration of HNLC rebels into Meghalaya to disrupt the elections," BSF spokesman Ravi Gandhi said.
Meghalaya with a population of nearly three million according to 2011 census, has a total of 1,503,907 voters, including 759,608 women dominating in many constituencies of this matrilineal state.
"Who are they (HNLC) to deny my democratic rights? People have come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise without fear," said Kitbok Wanniang, a voter in Nongkwar.
Agnes Kharshiing, an activist, said at least six people used Rule 49-0 under The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, to record their desire not to vote.
"Six voters in different constituencies have used Rule 49-O since we are not satisfied with the candidates contesting in the elections," Kharshiing told IANS.
Polling started at 7am with people turning out in huge numbers to elect a 60-member assembly despite the shutdown.
"It is my birthright and I voted for a person I have faith who will fight for people's rights in the assembly," Mathew Chyne, a voter in Sohra, said.
The fate of 345 candidates, including 25 women and 122 independents, has been sealed in the EVMs. The votes will be counted February 28.
Voting took place at 2,485 polling booths, out of which 842 were termed hypersensitive.
Chief minister Mukul Sangma and his wife Dikanchi D Shira voted in Chengkompara polling booth in Ampati constituency.
"We are getting a good response from the people. I'm sure there will be a swing in favour of the Congress," Sangma told IANS. His wife and brother-in-law Zenith are contesting from Mahendraganj and Rangsakona constituencies.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) is equally confident of ousting the ruling Congress.
"I'm confident that the UDP will gain more seats and we are confident of ousting the Congress party from power," UDP chief and former chief minister Donkupar Roy said after casting his ballot in Disong in Shella constituency around 7.30am.
The Congress has fielded candidates in all constituencies followed by the UDP which is contesting 50 seats.
The Purno Sangma-led Nationalist People's Party has 32 candidates while the Nationalist Congress Party will contest in 21 seats. The Hill State People's Democratic Party has fielded 17 candidates.
"I'm confident that a non-Congress government will replace the ruling Congress-led government. We (NPP) are expecting at least 18 seats," former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno Sangma said.
Two of Sangma's sons — Conrad and James — are seeking re-election from Selsella and Dadenggre assembly constituencies.
Heavy turnout in Nagaland
Voters were still lined up at many polling booths across Nagaland at the scheduled end of voting at 4pm as the state recorded a heavy turnout in the assembly elections Sunday, officials said. Polling was peaceful.
Polling was held for the 59 of the 60 assembly constituencies in Nagaland, with the The election to Tuensang Sadar I countermanded after Congress candidate P Chuba Chang died on Friday.
"Voters were seen coming out enthusiastically to polling stations after the polling began at 7am. in most of the polling stations. While only 17.5 per cent polling was recorded till 10am, the polling per centage went up to over 65 per cent till 2pm. We have registered over 83 per cent polling till 4pm," said Nagaland joint chief electoral officer N Moa Aier told IANS.
"There are still long queues before some of the polling stations and polling officials would have to wait till the last person in the queues cast their votes. So, the final polling percentage is likely to increase further," he said.
In the 2008 assembly polls, the hilly, border state recorded 85 per cent polling, he said.
Nagaland has an electorate of 1,193,438, including 589,505 women.
Aier also said that the election in Nagaland remained one of the most peaceful elections ever. "While there are reports of some minor problems — minor clashes between various party workers, there is no major incidents reported from anywhere in the state so far," he said.
Polling was interrupted in some polling stations due to technical problems with the EVMs.
"There were reports of technical problems in the EVMs from some polling stations. A total of 30 EVMs in various polling stations had to be replaced due to technical problems in them," he said adding that polling later resumed in those polling stations.
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio exercised his franchise at his native village Touphema in Northern Angami constituency.
Election officials are using 2,600 EVMs to conduct the polls in 2,023 polling stations. A total of 188 candidates, including two women, are in the fray with 49 outgoing legislators seeking re-election.
The ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) has fielded candidates in all 60 seats while the main opposition party Congress has put up candidates in 57 assembly constituencies.
One third of the 60 constituencies will witness straight fights between the NPF and Congress.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, which won two seats in 2008, has fielded 11 candidates. The Nationalist Congress Party, which has two members in the outgoing assembly, has 15 contenders.
According to election officials, over 26,000 security personnel, including 225 companies of central paramilitary forces and police, have been deployed for the polls.
