Over 29,000 voters to decide fate of four candidates
NONGSTOIN/SHILLONG: Amid tight security, more than 29 thousand voters will exercise their franchise in the by-election to the Nongstoin Assembly constituency on Saturday.
Elaborate security and other arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth conduct of the polling, which will be held from 7am to 4 pm in 39 polling stations set up in the constituency.
There are four contestants who have thrown their hat into the electoral ring and will fight to represent the prestigious seat, which had been the “lion’s den” for decades.
The by-poll was necessitated by the demise of veteran leader Hoping Stone Lyngdoh in September.
Lyngdoh had helmed the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) with the “lion” symbol for several years.
The four contestants are Gabriel Wahlang (Congress), Diosstarness Jyndiang the fray as an Independent nominee, Fenela Lyngdoh Nonglait. All 39 polling stations have been categorised as peaceful. A total of 29,173 voters (14503 (male) and 14670 (female) will exercise their franchise in this by-election. The polling parties have already reached their respective polling stations. Adequate number of EVMs have also been dispatched to all the polling stations for the smooth conduct of poll, the Chief Electoral Officer P Naik said on Friday. He said that necessary security arrangements including the deployment of two companies of additional para-military forces have been made to ensure a peaceful poll. Police are also watchful as there are bordering areas of West Khasi Hills which have the presence of militants.