More than 70 per cent of the 13 lakh voters cast their ballots in the two politically important tribal autonomous district councils in Meghalaya on Friday and the voting was held peacefully with some minor incidents of violence, officials said.
Voting was held in the 29 constituencies in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and 29 constituencies in the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), two powerful tribal autonomous bodies under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Officials said that polling was affected after unidentified miscreants ransacked four polling stations and damaged the Electronic Voting Machines and clashes occurred between the supporters of two political parties.
C.V.D. Diengdoh, Commissioner and Secretary to the District Council Affairs Department, said that given these incidents repolling was ordered in four polling stations and the fresh voting would be held in these polling stations on Saturday.
Election officials said that over 13 lakh voters, including 6,76,467 women, of which more than 70 per cent have cast their votes, decided the fate of 158 candidates in the KHADC election and 114 candidates in the JHADC election.
Since 7 a.m., the electorates, comprising men and women, cast their ballots in 1,798 polling stations in the KHADC and 483 polling stations in JHADC.
Considering various situations and law and order issues, 129 polling stations have been identified as vulnerable and critical in areas under KHADC and 95 in the JHADC.
According to the officials, a huge contingent of security forces has been deployed in both the council areas to ensure free, fair, and smooth conduct of elections.
The counting of votes will be held on Monday (February 24).
The principal electoral contenders in the two tribal autonomous bodies are the National People's Party (NPP) headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the Voice of People's Party (VPP), the United Democratic Party, and the Congress.
However, the main fight between KHADC and JHADC would be between the NPP and the VPP.
Like Assam, Mizoram, and Tripura, Meghalaya also has three such tribal autonomous bodies under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to uplift the socio-economic, traditional, and cultural aspects of the tribals.
Besides the KHADC and the JHADC, the third autonomous body in Meghalaya is the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.
Tripura Govt contemplating to boost tourism: Minister Sushanta Chowdhury
The state transport and tourism minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Thursday said that the government is contemplating to make tourism as an alternate means of livelihood in the state. Adequate fund has been allocated for further developing the tourism sector, he added.
Imports from B’desh to Tripura increase, exports largely decline: Minister
Imports from Bangladesh into Tripura increased but exports from the northeastern state of India to the neighbouring country substantially declined, state Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma told the Assembly on Thursday.
67 percent households in AMC areas connected with drinking water supply: CM Dr Manik Saha
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday claimed that at least 67% households were connected with drinking water supply in the areas of Agartala Municipal Corporation.
Boy drowns in Muhuri River during Baruni bathing ritual
In a tragic incident, Sayan Pal (18), a 12th-standard student from Arya Colony, Belonia, drowned in the Muhuri River while participating in the holy Baruni bathing ritual on Wednesday afternoon.
Innovative projects launched to supply drinking water from Dumbur: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that several innovative projects have been set up based on the reserved water of the Dumbur water reservoir, making it possible to provide drinking water connections to many families through pipelines.
Govt undertaken measures to increase Howrah river’s navigability: Tripura CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that the state government has undertaken a series of measures to permanently address flooding in Agartala city by increasing the navigability of the Howrah River.
Tripura Assembly witnesses spat over minister's 'racist' remark against LoP
The Tripura Assembly witnessed a noisy scene for the fourth day on Thursday over Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath's alleged racist remarks against Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury.
Centre Releases Rs 240.5 Crore to Tripura for Urban Planning Reforms
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today announced that the Ministry of Finance has released Rs 240.5 crores to Tripura for achieving urban planning reforms.