SHILLONG, July 18: The poll to elect the new President of the country concluded with 56 out of 60 Meghalaya MLAs exercising their franchise on Monday.
The voting process was conducted in a specially designed polling booth in the Annexe Hall of the temporary Meghalaya Legislative Assembly building at Rilbong from 10 am till 5 pm. The first vote was cast by North Tura MLA Thomas Sangma. The last to cast the vote was North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum.
Chief Electoral Officer, Frederick Roy Kharkongor confirmed 56 MLAs and Rajya Sabha member WR Kharlukhi cast their votes in Shillong.
While many MLAs cast their votes in the morning, seniors Prestone Tynsong, Charles Pyngrope, Metbah Lyngdoh and a few others exercised their franchise in the afternoon.
The absentee MLAs were Sniawbhalang Dhar, Shitlang Pale, Marthon Sangma and James PK Sangma, who is in the UK.
BJP legislator AL Hek was the election agent for NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu while his opposition counterpart was George B Lyngdoh.
Sources said Dhar could not make it as he has just been discharged from a hospital following a spinal injury. While Marthon Sangma tested positive for COVID-19 the reason for Pale’s absence was not known although an MLA said he could be in his village.
Pale could not be contacted as his phone was switched off.
COVID protocols were followed strictly during the poll process. The ballot box was sealed at 5 pm sharp and kept in the strong room in the presence of Election department officials.
Kharkongor said the ballot box would be flown to New Delhi on Tuesday and will be deposited in Rajya Sabha. The counting of votes will take place on July 21.
After casting his vote, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the victory of Murmu will have a huge impact on different issues concerning the tribal people in different parts of the country.
Opposition leader Mukul M Sangma said the MLAs should not be misguided by the rhetoric of political parties who say something and do something else.
He said there are instances of persecution of some communities and some political parties should address this issue by practising what they preach.
Ampareen Lyngdoh also said Murmu’s win will be significant for the tribal people and expected her to flag issues of backwardness of tribal people across the country after she is elected. “We hope there will be more focus on tribals,” she said.
All India Trinamool Congress legislator HM Shangpliang said this was the first time that he participated in the presidential polls. He clarified that he attended a programme when Murmu came to Shillong because he has great respect for her.
“Besides, I was given a formal invitation,” he said.
Saleng Sangma said that both the presidential candidates were equally good.
Tura MP, Agatha Sangma said they are part of NDA and she voted for Murmu who is extremely qualified and also happens to be the first tribal woman aspirant for this post.
Agatha Sangma cast her vote in Parliament on Monday.
Lok Sabha member from Shillong Vincent H Pala also cast his vote in Parliament.
