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Shillong/Kohima: India's democratic system triumphed as Meghalaya electors rejected
a shutdown call by an outlawed outfit to cast votes in large
numbers while Nagaland too saw brisk balloting in peaceful
assembly elections Saturday. Over 80 percent polling was recorded
in both states.
Assembly by-polls were also held in three constituencies in West
Bengal, and one each in Punjab and Mizoram.
The votes will be counted Feb 28.
In Meghalaya, as polling began 7 a.m., people defied a shutdown
call by the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC)
to turn out at the polling booths in huge numbers to elect a new
60-member assembly.
"Who are they (HNLC) to deny my democratic rights. People have
come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise without any
fear," said Kitbok Wanniang at Nongkwar polling booth.
Eighty-one percent turnout was recorded till 4 p.m. when polling
officially ended.
"An estimated 81 percent voters have cast their ballots till 4
p.m. We are expecting that the voting percentage would increase to
85 percent or more," Chief Electoral Officer Prashant Naik told
IANS.
"The election has been conducted in a free, fair and peaceful
manner with no report of major poll-related incidents," he said.
Activist Agnes Kharshiing said at least six people had used Rule
49-0 under The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, to record the
desire not to vote saying they were not satisfied with the
contesting candidates.
The Border Security Force (BSF) had stepped up patrolling along
the India-Bangladesh border "to prevent possible infiltration of
HNLC rebels into Meghalaya to disrupt the elections," BSF
spokesman Ravi Gandhi said.
The HNLC, which conducts hit-and-run operations from its hideout
in Bangladesh, has been demanding a sovereign Khasi homeland in
eastern Meghalaya.
Meghalaya, with a population of nearly three million as per 2011
census, has a total electorate of 15,03,907, including 7,59,608
women dominating in many constituencies of the matrilineal state.
A total of 345 candidates, including 25 women and 122
independents, were in the fray. The state had 2,485 polling
booths, out of which 842 were termed hyper-sensitive.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and his wife Dikanchi D. Shira cast
their votes in Chengkompara polling booth in Ampati constituency.
"I'm sure there will be a swing in favour of the Congress," Sangma
told IANS.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) was equally confident of
victory.
"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.
The Congress has fielded candidates in all constituencies followed
by the UDP in 50 and the Purno Sangma-led Nationalist People's
Party in 32 constituencies.
In Nagaland, over 83 percent of the 1,193,438- strong electorate
voted till 4 p.m., but polling was still on in some remote areas
beyond 6 p.m.
Nagaland, which shares its borders with Assam to the west and
north, Arunachal Pradesh to the north, Myanmar to the east and
Manipur to the south, has a total population of 19,80,602.
Polling was held for 59 out of total 60 seats, with election to
Tuensang Sadar I constituency adjourned after Congress candidate
P. Chuba Chang died Friday.
"Voters were seen coming out enthusiastically to polling stations.
We have registered over 83 percent polling till 4 p.m.," Nagaland
Joint Chief Electoral Officer N. Moa Aier told IANS.
The hilly border state had recorded 85 percent polling in 2008.
"Polling has ended but we are still collecting reports from the
polling stations located in remote areas of the state. So, the
final polling percentage is likely to increase further," Aier
said.
Calling it one of the most peaceful elections in the state, he
said: "There are reports of some minor political clashes, but no
major incident has been reported from anywhere in the state so
far."
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio voted at his native village
Touphema in Northern Angami constituency.
Election officials used 2,600 EVMs to conduct the polls in 2,023
polling stations. A total of 188 candidates, including two women,
are in fray.
The ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) has fielded candidates in all
60 seats while the main opposition party Congress put up 57
nominees. The Bharatiya Janata Party fielded 11 candidates.
Over 26,000 security personnel, including 225 companies of central
paramilitary forces and police, have been deployed.
In Punjab, polling in Moga saw a 70 percent turnout despite heavy
rain while in West Bengal, 83 percent of the electors voted in the
three assembly constituencies -- Nalhati in Birbhum district,
Rejinagar in Murshidabad district and English Bazar in Malda
district.
Over 70 percent of total 17,054 electors cast their franchise in
the by-election to the tribal dominated Chalfilh assembly
constituency in Mizoram.
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