Results for the 59 seats in the Meghalaya Assembly will be declared on Thursday after the counting of votes which is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Following a high-octane campaign, voting for 59 seats in the Meghalaya Assembly was held on February 27, with 85.17 percent of voters casting ballots to decide the fate of 369 candidates.
The administration has made all necessary preparations for a smooth counting process in Meghalaya, and in accordance with the Election Commission of India’s order, the administration will remain vigilant and follow the counting guidelines.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya Sibhi Chakrawarthy Sadhu said, “In Shillong polo ground counting of 14 seats will take place. Ballot counting will begin at 8 am while the EVM counting will begin at 8:30 am.”
“We have made all elaborate arrangements regarding security protocol and who will be allowed inside the counting hall. Counting staff and Micro observers have been deployed at each table also. We also interacted with political parties to follow protocol. No unauthorized person will be allowed to enter in Counting hall,” the DC added.
The DC further said, “We had a briefing with the Superintendent of Police of East Khasi hill district to ensure that law and order is not disturbed in any of the areas in the district. Smooth Traffic arrangements are being made so that inconvenience is not caused to the common people.”
The National People’s Party (NPP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the United Democratic Party (UDP), and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have all claimed to have the magic number of 60 seats in the Assembly and form government.
However, it will be clear in the afternoon who will form the state’s government with a majority or if Meghalaya will again have a hung Assembly. NPP leader and Chief Minister Conard Sangma has stated that the NPP will form the state government.
In contrast, Meghalaya BJP President Ernest Nawrie said that the BJP has a good chance of forming the government and that the party will get a good number of seats and vote percentage in the state.
Meanwhile, while speaking to ANI, TMC Meghalaya State President said, “We have a meeting a couple of hours before the counting begins. As TMC state president, I am confident in forming the government as soon as the election results are announced. A sufficient number is required to accomplish this.”
Notably, there was no voting in the Sohiong constituency because the election was postponed due to the death of United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate H. Donkupar Roy Lyngdoh, who died of cardiac arrest on February 20.
The rescheduled date for polling in the constituency has yet to be announced by the election commission. According to EC data, 11 constituencies received more than 90% of the vote in Monday’s election. Mowkaiaw had the highest voter turnout at 92.73 percent, followed by Rajabala at 92.66 percent.
Other constituencies with more than 90% voting participation include Phulbari (90.39), Selsella (91.71), Dadenggre (90.23), Mairang (90.93), Mawthadraishan (91.70), Nartiang (90.49), Sutnga-Saipung (90.80), Khliehriat (90.75), and Amlarem (90.75). (90.97).
South Tura, the constituency of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, polled the lowest in Garo Hills at 73.65%, followed by North Tura at 75.98% and Williamnagar at 77.26%. The remaining constituencies in the state polled at or above 80%.
