Assembly elections 2013: Nagaland records 83 pc, Meghalaya 88 pc
Source: The Sangai Express / PTI & agencies

New Delhi, February 23 2013 : Meghalaya recorded 88 per cent polling and Nagaland 83.27 per cent in the assembly elections held on Saturday, which passed off peacefully barring a few minor incidents in Nagaland.

The counting would be held on February 28.Meghalaya recorded a high turnout defying a bandh call by militants in some districts and came close to its last time turnout of 89.04 per cent.

Defying a bandh called by militants in seven districts, 88 per cent of the 15.03 lakh electorate cast their votes to elect 60 members from among 345 candidates in the election to the ninth Meghalaya assembly on Saturday.

State's chief election officer P Naik said voting was more intense in the Khasi Jaintia Hills region despite a 36-hour bandh called from 6pm on Friday by the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council in seven districts.

Nagaland had recorded 86.19 per cent voting in the last assembly polls.

Brisk polling was recorded in Nagaland for 59 out of 60 seats of the state assembly amidst unprecendented security.

Polling has been adjourned in Tuensang sadar seat following the sudden death of Congress candidate P Chuba Chang on Friday.

Enthusiasm was noticed among the electorate following calls by Nagaland Baptist Church Council and Election Commission for "one person one vote" .

The sources said polling was peaceful across the state barring some skirmishes between party workers and candidates' supporters.

Prominent candidates whose fates were sealed in EVMs were Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie, Opposition Leader Tokheho Yepthomi, Congress president SI Jamir and former Home Minister Imkong L Imchen from Koridang.

According to Chief Electoral Officer J Alam repoll would be held in three polling stations � Hoshepu in Zunheboto district, polling station number 17 in Chizami Zavame village in Phek district and Ghaspani-II in Dimapur district.

At Hoshepu armed miscreants prevented polling from being held, at Zavame EVMs and the electoral roll were damaged and at Ghaspani-II voting could not be held because of a clash between supporters of two candidates, he said.

The date of repolling would be announced by tomorrow, he said.

The election to the Tuensang seat will be held on March 23 and counting on for it on March 26, Alam said.

Asked about Assam police allegedly preventing polling at Ladigarh in Tamlu constituency in Longleng district, Alam said that he accepted that there were problems, but the final report from the district administration and returning officer were awaited.

Only after receiving the final report would further action be taken, he added.

Deputy CEC, Sudhir Tripathi, lauded the efforts of the Church bodies and civil societies in maintaining a clean election process.

On the otherhand, in view of the Meghalaya elections, Border Security Force (BSF) stepped up patrolling along the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya following the shutdown called by 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.

In the bye-elections to six assembly constituencies which were also peaceful, Chalfilh in Mizoram recorded 78 per cent voting, Bhatpar in Uttar Pradesh 50 per cent and Moga in Punjab recorded 70.33 per cent polling, deputy election commissioner Alok Shukla told reporters here.

In the bypolls to three assembly constituencies in West Bengal, Nalhati Birbhum recorded 65 per cent polling, English Bazar in Malda district 75 per cent and Rejinagar in Murshidabad district recorded 72 per cent polling.

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