20,584 voters to decide fate of four candidates in Meghalaya

Shillong, Dec 3 (UNI) Amid tight security, about 20,584 elctorate, including 10,000 woomen, would exercise their franchise in 24 polling stations in tomorrow's byelection to Rongjeng Assembly seat in Meghalaya.

Nine polling stations have been declared sensitive.

Four candidates are in the fray - Mettrinson G Momin of the Congress, former militant leader of disbanded A'chik Liberation Matgrik Army Desang Sangma of the NCP and two Independent candidates former Transport Minister Sujit K Sangma and Garo Hills Autonomous District Council member Ashutosh Marak.

Both Mr Sangma and Mr Marak had resigned from the Congress after they were denied party tickets.

The Rongjeng byelection would be litmus test for the ruling Congress in Garo Hills in the backdrop of a tug-of-war between Chief Minister J D Rymbai and his predecessor D D Lapang and other party functionaries.

All polling personnel arrived at their respective designated polling booths, Returning Officer Mr M K Marak said.

Director General of Police William Richmond Marbaniang said two companies each of CRPF and state police battalion have been deployed in Rongjeng constituency, adding strict instructions have been issued to the security agencies to maintain strict vigil to prevent any untoward incident before and after the election.

The Rongjeng bypoll was necessitated following the sudden death of Congress Legislator Predickson G Momin.

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