SHILLONG, May 9: The fate of the six candidates in fray for the adjourned Sohiong Assembly election will be sealed on Wednesday by as many as 34,783 registered voters with the State Election Commission positive that the voting percentage will be on the higher side.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed and if the weather holds good then Sohiong will maintain its record of over 90% voting,” Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) FR Kharkongor said on the eve of polling on Tuesday.
The polling will begin at 7 am and end at 4 pm in as many as 63 polling stations.
Female voters (17,687) outnumber their male counterparts (17,096) in Sohiong.
In a unique initiative, selected voters will plant tree saplings at Nongpathaw, which has been declared a model polling station.
Informing that everything is on track, Kharkongor said that all polling parties have reached their respective polling stations and five companies of CAPF have been deployed to ensure peace.
“There are about 12 vulnerable hamlets and all steps have been taken to ensure that there is enough confidence in the hearts and minds of the voters to cast their votes,” he said.
He also said that around 160 senior citizens and about 54 persons with disabilities have cast their votes from their home.
Meanwhile, the NPP exuded confidence that its multi-pronged strategy will see it through in the deferred elections to the Sohiong seat.
Cabinet Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said the party did not face negative results in past elections when it had adopted a multi-pronged strategy. She said the party is not anticipating defeat in this “critical” seat.
Lyngdoh said inputs received from the ground indicate the NPP is in a comfortable position.
“We look forward to this democratic process and we are hopeful that this seat will come to the NPP. We have worked hard,” she said.
Both NPP and the UDP are desperate about increasing their tally of MLAs. A straight contest is expected between the NPP’s Samlin Malngiang, who is a former MLA; and the UDP’s Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah.
Congress candidate S Osborne Kharjana tried his best to make his presence felt. The poll campaign of Seraph Eric Kharbuki (BJP), Stodingstar Thabah (TMC) and Sandondor Ryntathiang (HSPDP) was low-key.
The venues of the last campaign of BJP and TMC candidates wore a deserted look. In a social media video, no TMC leader was seen campaigning for Thabah. Some people were seen sharing the podium with the candidate. A YouTuber “Madiang” was seen trying to entertain people.
TMC state president, Charles Pyngrope admitted only a few leaders went to campaign for the candidate.
According to him, the party has very few members in East Khasi Hills. The party president for East Khasi Hills is yet to be elected after former MLA, HM Shangpliang resigned, he said.
Similarly, very few BJP leaders campaigned for Kharbuki. Minister Alexander Laloo Hek was one who did. BJP state president, Ernest Mawrie could not be reached for comment.
