Meghalaya bye-polls: Counting of votes to begin tomorrow
East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner Isawanda Laloo has also issued an order prohibiting procession and sloganeering of any kind within the premises of the counting centre till completion of counting of votes and declaration of results.
Fate of 13 candidates will be decided on November 2 as Election Commission will begin counting votes for the bye-polls that were conducted across three constituencies in Meghalaya - Mawryngkneng, Mawphlang, and Rajabala on October 30.
The counting of votes will start at 8 am on Tuesday at the counting centres in JN Stadium for Mawryngkneng and Mawphlang and at Tura, for Rajabala constituency amid tight security.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the counting. A senior police officer said EVMs are guarded by two- and three-layered security at the strong rooms in Tura and Shillong, respectively.
East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner Isawanda Laloo has also issued an order prohibiting procession and sloganeering of any kind within the premises of the counting centre till the completion of counting of votes and declaration of results.
The order also prohibits the use of loudspeakers and celebration by any political party or candidates within the premises of the counting venue, carrying of sticks either with or without flags, lathis, firearms, processions or big gatherings within a radius of 1km from the counting centre, bursting and throwing crackers on the roads and at public places.
COVID-19 protocols of mask-wearing and social distancing are to be strictly maintained at all times.
The 13 candidates in the fray include Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) chairman and Sohryngkham member of district council, Pyniaid Sing Syiem from the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), the opposition Congress nominee Highlander Kharmalki and three independent candidates - Esron Marwein, Arbiangkam Kharsohmat and Norbert Marboh – from Mawryngkneng constituency, SK Sunn’s son Eugeneson Lyngdoh from the United Democratic Party (UDP), former MLA Kennedy C Khyriem of the Congress and four-time MDC Lamphrang Blah of the NPP – from the Mawphlang constituency, INC candidate Hashina Yasmin Mondal, former legislator and currently sitting MDC of Batabari Ashahel D Shira from UDP, MD Abdus Saleh from NPP, Kingston B Marak (BJP) and Carla R Sangma (Independent) from Rajabala constituency.
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