Rongjeng bypoll ends on peaceful note with 71 per cent turnout

Shillong, Dec 4 (UNI) The byelection to the Rongjeng Assembly seat in Meghaaya's East Garo Hills district with an estimated 71 per cent polling passed off peacefully, according to Returning Officer M K Marak.

The contiturency has a total of 20,584 electorate of whom 10,030 are females voters.

Polling was held in a free and fair manner. Barring a few minor incidents, polling was by and large peaceful, Mr Marak said.

Polling, which began at 0700 hrs in 24 polling booths, picked up later with heavy turnout of voters amid tight security.

Two companies each of CRPF and state police battalion had been deployed to conduct the election smoothly, Mr Marak said.

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.

After polling was completed, the EVMs were sealed and taken to the counting centre in Williamnagar, the district headquarter of East Garo Hills , amid tight security. The counting will be taken up from 0800 hrs on December 7.

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