SHILLONG: Over 70 percent polling was recorded in the elections to KHADC and JHADC (for 29 seats each) held on Monday.
Compared to the Assembly elections held in February last year which witnessed over 88 per cent voters’ turn out , there was less enthusiasm among the voters, who did not to come out in large numbers to cast their votes.Despite the pleasant sunny weather, there was not much queue of voters in the premises of some of the polling stations in East Khasi Hills. “As per the available trend, the turnout of voters would be more than 70 percent in both the KHADC and JHADC. The exact percentage would be available only on Tuesday,” Commissioner and Secretary Jopthiaw Lyngdoh told newsmen.
Lyngdoh said that the voters’ turnout in Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah was the highest with 83.93 per cent. As per the initial report, the percentage of voters turn in other constituencies in Shillong are Laban-Mawprem (65 percent), Nongthymmai (62 percent), Laitumkhrah-Malki (64 percent), Jaiaw (65 percent) and Mawlai (70 percent).
The final percentage of voters turns out in the two constituencies under Sohra Civil Sub Division is- Sohra (83.38 percent) and Shella (73.95).
As per the available data of the percentage of voters turn out of other constituencies in East Khasi Hills include Sohryngkham (79 percent), Mawkynrew (75 percent), Nongkrem (73 percent), Lyngkyrdem-Laitkroh (75 percent), Nongshken (76 percent), Mawsynram (77 percent), Mylliem (68 percent), Mawphlang-Diengiei (78 percent) and Nongspung-Sohiong (74 percent). West Jaintia Hills recorded an aggregate turnout of 89.77 per cent while in East Jaintia Hills, the turnout was approximately between 85-90 per cent.
As per the available reports, the highest turn out in the JHADC is Ummulong-Moodymai and Mukhla-Wahiajer. These two constituencies in Jaintia Hills with the highest voters turnout recorded 94 per cent each.
The other constituencies in Jaintia Hills which reported to have very high turnout voters include Shilliang-Myntang (93 percent), Raliang (92 percent), Saphai and Shanpung (both recorded a turnout of 90 percent as per initial reports).
There was a large turnout of electorates in the five district council constituencies of Ri Bhoi District with the overall percentage of turnout recorded at 77.62 per cent.
Mawhati constituency registered the highest turnout of voters with 82.45 per cent followed by Umroi with 79.14 per cent, Nongpoh (78.05 per cent), Umsning (75 per cent) and Jirang (74.13 per cent). West Khasi Hills District recorded a total turnout of approximately 67 per cent in the five constituencies.
The total number of voters in Khasi Hills is 6, 68,398 and Jaintia Hills with 2, 09, 217.
There are a total number of 123 candidates contesting for KHADC, while the total number of candidates for JHADC is 89. The ruling Congress had fielded candidates for all the 29 seats in both KHADC and JHADC.
For KHADC, UDP has fielded 29 and HSPDP (20). While NCP fielded 4 candidates, NPP has fielded only one and KHNAM 13. The number of Independent candidates is 27.
The party wise candidates for JHADC is NCP ( 3), UDP(16), HSPDP (5) and Independents (36). Twenty-nine members each will be elected to both the KHADC and the JHADC, while one member each will be nominated to complete the 30-member Houses.
Counting for the 58 seats will be held on February 27.