SHILLONG: As many as 18,09,818 voters will decide the fate of 361 candidates in the fray for 59 Assembly seats in the state on Tuesday.
Female voters, at 9,13,682, have outnumbered their male counterparts whose total number is 8,96,136.
The polling time is from 7 am to 4 pm and the state government has declared a holiday to ensure large participation of voters.
The election to the Williamnagar seat was adjourned following the killing of NCP candidate Jonathone Sangma on February 18.
The number of polling stations is 3,025 and 15,125 polling personnel have already reached various destinations. Besides, every polling station will have four police personnel.
Among the polling stations, 340 are critical and 580 vulnerable while both critical and vulnerable polling stations are numbered at 67. Others are normal.
On the eve of the polls, Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor said all arrangements have been made for a peaceful and fair election.
The Centre has deployed 106 companies of paramilitary forces in the state for the smooth conduct of polls, he said.
Despite the movement of militants in parts of South and East Garo Hills and West and South West Khasi Hills, police have put in place adequate preventive measures.
Polling stations have been categorised as vulnerable on account of their sensitivity due to militancy and other violent incidents whereas vulnerable and critical polling stations are those where there is an abnormal voting pattern towards a particular candidate.
East Khasi Hills SP Davis Marak said security has been beefed up in several places and 16 companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed in the district.
“The situation is under control. There are 34 vulnerable polling stations where we are deploying one section of central armed forces each,” he said.
In addition, forces are also being deployed in 30 locations.
The SP added that the static surveillance team and the flying squad are also on alert.
Asked about his message to voters on the eve of polls, Kharkongor said, “My appeal to the voters is to come, choose, cast and celebrate.”
Besides 84 independents, altogether 15 political parties have fielded their candidates to contest the polls.
While the Congress has put up candidates in all the constituencies, the BJP is contesting in 47 seats and NPP in 57. Others are UDP (35), PDF (26), NCP (21), HSPDP (13), All India Trinamool Congress and KHNAM (8 each) and GNC and Aam Aadmi Party (6 each). Lok Jan Shakti Party, North East Development Party, Republican Party of India and Republican Party of India (A) have put up only one candidate each.
UDP, HSPDP and GNC have entered into a pre-poll alliance eying maximum seats while the BJP, buoyed by its success in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and subsequent Assembly polls in different states, is trying to snatch a victory in Meghalaya too.
Led by KHADC chief executive member PN Syiem, PDF, a new entrant in Meghalaya politics, is all out to make a difference.
While the Congress is fighting anti-incumbency and exodus of many party legislators, the NPP had campaigned aggressively to improve its position as the party had only two legislators in the current Assembly. Three sitting Congress legislators, DD Lapang (Nongpoh), RC Laloo (Jowai) and Roshan Warjri (North Shillong) had opted out of the fray.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma is contesting from both Ampati and Songsak seats.
Congress stalwarts contesting the polls include Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh (Sohiong), Assembly Speaker AT Mondal (Phulbari), Ampareen Lyngdoh (East Shillong) and MPCC president and Umsning candidate Celestine Lyngdoh.
Besides the sitting MLAs James Sangma (Dadenggre) and Nihim D Shira (Songsak), NPP has fielded former Congress leader Prestone Tynsong (Pynursla) and former Tura MP Agatha Sangma (South Tura), among others.
UDP veterans include party president Donkupar Roy (Shella), Jemino Mawthoh (Nongthymmai), Paul Lyngdoh (West Shillong) and others.
Prominent BJP candidates are AL Hek (Pynthorumkhrah), Sanbor Shullai (South Shillong) and Bakul Hajong (Ampati).
