TURA, April 13: The fate of the several dozen candidates contesting the polls to the 29 MDC seats in the GHADC have been finally sealed in the ballot box on Monday evening.
The high turnout of almost 70 percent, which is expected to rise further, has bolstered the election officials who have expressed joy with the high turnout despite threats of boycott and shutdown given by the GSU and other pressure groups opposed to the participation by non-tribal candidates and votes to the oldest autonomous institution in the Garo Hills.
Large voter turnouts across the 29 MDC constituencies during polling indicate a phenomenon rise in the voting percentage as hundreds of voters queued in line across the plain belt to exercise their franchise well after the 4 PM closure of polls.
Interestingly, while the boycott call against non-tribal participation was raised by the protesting groups, yet, the percentage of voting was highest in their respective strongholds of Batabari, Shyamnagar, Balachandra and Zikzak in the plain belt region.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma cast his ballot at Walbakgre polling station of Tura during the first part of the day, while, Mukul Sangma of the Congress cast his vote at Chengkompara polling station of Ampati along with his wife Dikkanchi D Shira, Mahendraganj MLA, and daughter Miani D Shira, Ampati legislator.
West Garo Hills district having 13 MDC constituencies registered a high of almost 65 percent polling at the time of closure but several stations were yet to relay their polling figure which is expected to raise the figure further.
On expected lines, Tura, once again registered one of the lowest turnout of 49.62 percent but it was a far better turnout than the previous council election when the figure was under 40 percent.
Another low turnout was in Raksamgre constituency which too registered just 48.13% polling.
Interestingly, the highest voting percentage was not in the minority dominated plain belt but in the rural border belt of Babelapara MDC constituency where sitting Gambegre MLA Saleng A Sangma of the NCP is contesting. Babelapara recorded a high of 87 percentage polling.
In Rochonpara constituency where the sitting CEM of the NPP led EC Dipul Marak is contesting the poll percentage was as high as 72.70%, while in Williamnagar constituency where sitting Chairman of the GHADC and Williamnagar MDC, Denang T Sangma is contesting the percentage was 58.8% and expected to rise a little more.
The district wise break-up of polling percentage at the time of polls closure reveal South Garo Hills at 76.24, West Garo Hills with 64.51, South West Garo Hills at an all time high of 85.71%, East Garo Hills 62,2% and North Garo Hills 70 percent.