Voting in Meghalaya, Nagaland peaceful, no demands for re-poll: Election Commission

Around 85.79% polling was recorded in the Nagaland assembly polls while in Meghalaya around 77.9% of the electorate exercised their franchise on Monday. National People's Party (NPP) chief Conrad K Sangma claimed that there is a wave in favour of the NPP throughout the state. Counting will be held in Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura on March 2.

The polling percentage was 83.85% in the 2018 assembly polls. An official in Nagaland said polling across 59 constituencies was largely peaceful. There was an incident of stone pelting and minor clash but no major incidents were reported. In Akuk village under Bhandari assembly constituency, supporters of a candidate attacked the rival party workers using sharp weapons in which three persons were injured.

State Chief Electoral Officer, V Shashank Shekhar said around 13.16 lakh voters, including 6,55,144 women, will decide the fate of 183 candidates, including four women nominees.

Anuj Chandak, joint director (media) of ECI, stated that there were 74 non-motorable polling stations with two riverine polling stations, one at Kamsing in Amlarem Civil Sub-Division and the other at Kalatek under Sohra Civil Sub-Division. There were a number of polling stations in Garo Hills region where polling parties had to travel across makeshift bamboo bridges and double-decker root bridges.

BJP candidate Kazheto Kinimi was re-elected unopposed from the Akuluto Assembly constituency after his only opponent and Congress nominee Khekashe Sumi withdrew his candidature.

In Meghalaya, voting was held for 59 out of the 60 seats. Polling could not be held in Sohiong assembly constituency in East Khasi Hills district following the death of United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate H Donkupar Roy Lyngdoh. Polls in Meghalaya were held across 3,419 polling stations.

Sangma said BJP may not win many seats. "It is natural for the people to come and listen to prime minister Narendra Modi's rallies, but poll results are decided by local and constituency-level issues." Modi had addressed a rally and held a roadshow in the run-up to the polls. "A divided opposition would work in favour of the NPP. It will take time for TMC to strike roots in the state," he said.