Voter turnout to touch 86 percent

SHILLONG: With the rectified voter turnout percentage of South West Khasi Hills district, which now stands at 86.24 instead of 75.08 as released earlier, the overall polling percentage is set to rise further.
Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor said on Thursday that due to a clerical error, the percentage of the district was mentioned as 75.08.
There are two constituencies in the district, Ranikor and Mawkyrwat. While Ranikor registered 89.56 per cent turnout, Mawkyrwat recorded 83.02 per cent.
Kharkongor said with this, the overall percentage is 85.23 (83.72 per cent male and 86.71 per cent female) and not 84.86 per cent.
The official said the voter turnout will further go up after taking into account the postal votes which are yet to be counted and the percentage of Kyndong Tuber bypoll is yet to be added.
Besides, the election to Williamnagar constituency is yet to be held after the death of NCP candidate Jonathone Sangma on February 18.
The total voter turnout in 2013 was 86.82 per cent.
Harrowing time
Several tired polling personnel had to wait for at least four to five hours on February 27 night at JN Complex, Polo before handing over EVMs and VVPAT machines to the officials present.
The polling personnel, who returned from polling booths in many parts of the district, said the officials present at JN Complex were not prompt. They also had to search for transport after depositing the election materials. Some polling personnel said that a few of them collapsed owing to the long wait.
Another concern was that due to the late appointment of presiding officers, they could not handle EVMs, thereby causing delay during polling as training was inadequate.