SHILLONG/JOWAI/NONGSTOIN/MAWKYRWAT: The election to the 29 seats each in the autonomous district councils of Khasi and Jaintia Hills on Wednesday was peaceful.
Though the unexpected rain in the afternoon affected voting pattern, people from rural areas turned up in large numbers.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Commissioner and Secretary of District Council Affairs Department Tining Dkhar said voters’ turnout in Khasi Hills till 6 pm was 60.28 per cent and that in Jaintia Hills was 78.65 per cent.
At 9pm, the percentage in Khasi and Jaintia Hills went up to 76.63 and 85.6, respectively. More than 76 per cent turnout was recorded both in East and West Jaintia Hills districts till 7 pm.
Women voters dominated with 78.72 per cent and 85.99 per cent in Khasi and Jaintia Hills, respectively.
The figures were based on information received from polling stations which have reported at the time of compilation.
Political observers feel that this is for the first time in the recent past that the election was conducted in Jaintia Hills with decorum as there were no reports of any money power or muscle power.
There was a delay of one hour at six polling stations in Jaintia Hills due to technical snag in EVMs.
Unlike the Assembly polls, there were not many instances of EVM malfunctioning. Dkhar said only 13 EVMs malfunctioned, “which come to only a small percentage”.
“However, we replaced the malfunctioned EVMs in time. In Khasi Hills, there were seven EVMs and six in Jaintia Hills, which developed technical snag but they were later replaced,” he added.
In the 2014 polls, the turnout for JHADC polls was 72 per cent and for KHADC, it was 79 per cent.
“The figures are not final because after further tabulation and compilation of the data and figures, the same will be forwarded by the DCs and ROs and hope tomorrow by 11 am, we should be able to give the exact and final figures of the voters’ turn out, including constituency wise percentage,” he added.
To a query, he informed that the polls were smooth and there was no disruption to law and order besides, no report of any malpractice was known during the polling hours.
In South West Khasi Hills, the turnout was 82.1 per cent but many polling stations in Ranikor were yet to send reports because of communication problems. Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo informed that voters’ turnout in Mawkyrwat and Ranikor was 80.23 per cent and 84.42 per cent, respectively.
In West Khasi Hills, elaborate security arrangements were made for peaceful and fair polling. Returning officer T Lyngwa said till 7pm, the percentage of voters in Nongstoin constituency was 77.7, Mawshynrut 79, Rambrai Jyrngam 77.3, Mairang 88.09 and Mawthadraishan 86.65.
Counting centres notified
The results will be declared on Saturday latest by 12 noon. Dkhar said the counting centres were also notified on Wednesday.
The counting for Khasi Hills will be at Polo grounds; in West Jaintia Hills the counting centres will be at the deputy commissioner’s office; in Khliehriat, the counting will be at Jaintia College. Counting centres will also be set up in the office of SDO (Civil) in Amlarem, Sohra and Mairang.
