TURA/ MAWKYRWAT: The curtain finally came down on by-poll campaigning in South Tura and Ranikor at 5pm on Tuesday after over three weeks of verbal slugfest between the ruling NPP and its rivals as well as coalition partners.
Polling will take place in both the constituencies on Thursday.
In the West Garo Hills constituency, the candidates reserved the final day for door-to-door visits. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the NPP candidate, visited several houses before heading for the last rally at Rishipara near Tura main market.
His rivals, Congress’s Charlotte W Momin and Independents John Leslee K Sangma and Chris Kabul A Sangma, too beat a path to voters’ door along with their supporters.
Addressing a gathering at Rishipara, Conrad said, “The opposition will try to mislead with all sort of stories but voters of South Tura should remember that this election is not for one day or a week but an election to change the destiny of Tura, which has remained neglected.”
He made a clarion call to his opponent to work together as a team in their mission to ensure development. “A leader should not insult their opponent but respect each other and enlighten voters. I urge my opponents to be broadminded and have a vision to work for development.”
Barring minor complaints on use of loud speakers and allegations of money distribution, there were no reports of violence. Security remained tight across South Tura and Ranikor.
Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor said polling parties have started moving to their respective destinations. He hoped that weather would be conducive for holding the by-polls. “Urban apathy was a factor in South Tura in the last Assembly polls as there was low turnout but the election department had carried out awareness programmes so that voters can come out in large numbers,” he said.
The administration in both the districts declared holiday in the respective constituencies.
West Garo Hills police said five sectors under two security zones have been set up, each manned by a gazetted officer with sufficient force.
“We are conducting naka checking at all entry and exit points to the constituency and deployment of adequate force at sensitive areas and locations has already been done. Foot patrolling is taking place at sensitive points,” said district police chief MGR Kumar.
In Ranikor, Prestone Tynsong led the campaign for NPP, Donkupar Roy for that of UDP and Hamlet Dohling for PDF. Former chief minister Mukul Sangma played the role of key campaigner helping the party’s Jackiush Sangma to take on its former leader Martin M Danggo, who is contesting on NPP ticket.
UDP’s Pius Marwein and PDF’s PN Syiem are the other two candidates in fray.
