M’laya records highest percentage increase in voter turnout in NE

SHILLONG: Meghalaya has registered highest percentage increase in terms of votes polled compared to other northeastern states, which also went to the polls on April 11.
Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor informed on Saturday that while Meghalaya recorded 2.57 per cent increase in voter turnout from 2014, the percentage was less in other states in the North East.
While Arunachal Pradesh registered 9.89 per cent decrease in turnout from 2014, Assam registered 0.59 per cent and Nagaland 5.41 per cent decrease.
The percentage in Manipur compared to 2014 was 1.95 less while in Tripura, it was 2.24 per cent less.
Mizoram showed 1.96 per cent increase in voter turnout compared to 2014.
Mawlai percentage
Mawlai Congress legislator P T Sawkmie said though the voter turnout of 59.32 was the lowest this year in Mawlai, there is an increase in percentage up to 6.31 compared to 2014. Mawlai, the biggest constituency in the state, has as many as 44,252 voters. He said strict implementation of the model code of conduct may be one of the hurdles which prevent the party and the candidate to reach out to the masses. The legislator said the party also could not take out a bike rally in Mawlai due to restrictions.