SHILLONG: The election department is jubilant over the successful and peaceful Tura by poll conducted on May 16 despite many adversities.
Beyond the cash seizures and filing of FIRs during the campaign, the day of polling was free from any violent incidents.
With the new initiatives carried out by Election department including awarding the early voters (as many as 4,725 including Social Welfare Minister Deborah Marak) and also setting up of model polling stations, maximum participation of voters was ensured.
Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor said on Tuesday that he was happy to know that voters had lined up to exercise their franchise starting as early as 5 am on Monday.
An otherwise isolated election in Tura ensured the voters’ turn-out of 77.66 per cent which is not far behind the 78.14 per cent registered in 2014 general election which, however, had greater enthusiasm.
The percentage in 2009 for Tura was 67.68.
However, during this election, militancy, elephant menace and rains were the prime fears of the Election department.
Poll free from militants’, elephants’ menace
Large scale surrender of militants at different intervals prior to the by-poll helped in ensuring that the election process was peaceful.
According to Kharkongor, though there were instances of movement of elephants in the past during polling day, there was not a single case reported this time.
Earlier, meetings were held with the Forest department officials to keep vigil in the wake of the threat.
Kharkongor also shared an example on how when he as the Returning Officer in Tura was alerted by the SP about the movement of the elephants in the run up to the polls to Tura Lok Sabha seat in April 2009.
Tura by-poll: District wise poll percentage final tally
West Garo Hills: 78.16
Raksamgre: 81.22
Tikrikilla: 77
Phulbari: 79.09
Rajabala: 83.34
Selsella: 83.78
Dadenggre: 74.84
North Tura: 71.63
South Tura: 70.73
Rangsakona: 80.07
Gambegre: 79.39
Dalu: 80.56
South West GH: 83.74
Ampati: 83.26
Mahendraganj: 84.32
Salmanpara: 83.57
North Garo Hills: 77.29
Bajengdoba: 76.72
Resubelpara: 76.69
Mendipather: 77.51
Kharkutta: 78
South Garo Hills: 74.88
Chokpot: 73.26
Baghmara: 76.26
Siju-Rongara: 75.06
East Garo Hills: 72.95
Williamnagar: 67.79
Songsak: 76.57
Rongjeng: 75.46
Total percentage: 77.66
Over all female: 77.83
Over all male: 77.48
Lowest percentage, Williamnagar (67.79)
Highest percentage, Mahendraganj (84.32)