Polling begins for Rongjeng bypoll

Shillong, Dec 4: Polling began peacefully this morning for Meghalaya's Rongjeng Assembly seat by-election.

''Polling began at 0700 hrs in 24 polling booths amid tight security. Two companies each of CRPF and state police battalion have been deployed to conduct the election smoothly,'' Returning Officer M K Marak told UNI over phone from Rongjeng.

Till 0900 hrs, 9.8 per cent votes have been cast, Mr Marak said.

Over 20,584 voters, including 10, 030 women, will exercise their franchise in the assembly election for this seat.

Mr Mettrinson G Momin of the Congress, former militant leader of 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-- are in the fray.

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

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

UNI