78.82 per cent voter turnout in W’nagar

TURA: The fate of the nine candidates, including Congress legislator Deborah Marak, is now sealed in the ballot box as polling in Williamnagar ended on Friday.
The constituency recorded 78.82 per cent voter turnout as polling concluded without any untoward incidents at the 58 election booths.
However, there were “minor glitches” in polling machines at three booths, said Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Ram Kumar,
“One EVM malfunctioned and had to be changed at Rongbing Boldak polling station while at Nokil Awe polling station in Williamnagar town, the VVPAT was replaced due to a problem,” Kumar told The Shillong Times on Friday afternoon.
At Jongmegre polling station, a polling official failed to delete the mock poll exercise conducted before actual polling.
“Although the clearance was not done by the polling personnel we have the VVPAT vote slips registered in the EVM,” informed the returning officer. According to him, the VVPAT voting slips of the mock poll will be removed when the EVM is opened on counting day.
Rongreng Baize polling station recorded the highest turnout of 92.5 percent and Williamnagar Government LP (East) the lowest at 55.57 percent.
The fourth polling officer at Warminagre fell ill during polling and was sent for treatment.
Some of the early voters included Deborah and NCP candidate and Jonathone Sangma’s widow Krinilla R Marak.
The counting of votes will take place on May 1.