SHILLONG:22 Feb 2013

Polling was peaceful and the turnout was over 72 percent at 3 pm, said officials. "Over 72 percent voters have cast their ballot till 3 p.m. across the state. People are still queuing up at various polling booths and we would wait till those already in queues outside the booths cast their votes," Chief Electoral Officer Prashant Naik told a news agency. He said that there were no reports or anyone obstructing voters. Polling is going on peacefully.

The shutdown was called by the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) as part of its boycott of the assembly polls.

Activist Agnes Kharshiing said at least six people had used Rule 49-0 under The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 to record the desire not to vote. "Six voters in different assembly constituencies have used Rule 49-O since we are not satisfied with the candidates contesting in the elections," Kharshiing told a news agency.

Polling started at 7 am with people turning out in huge numbers to elect a 60-member Assembly despite the shutdown.

Over 1.5 million voters - about half the population of the state - are eligible to decide the fate of 345 candidates, including 25 women and 122 independents. Voting is taking place at 2,485 polling booths, out of which 842 have been termed hyper-sensitive.

Counting of votes will take place Feb 28.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and his wife Dikanchi D Shira cast their votes in Chengkompara polling booth in Ampati constituency.

"We are getting a good response from the people. I'm sure there will be a swing in favour of the Congress," Sangma told a news agency after voting.

His wife and brother-in-law Zenith are contesting from Mahendraganj and Rangsakona constituencies.

The United Democratic Party (UDP) is equally confident of ousting the ruling Congress.

"I'm confident that the UDP will gain more seats and we are confident of ousting the Congress party from power," UDP chief and former chief minister Donkupar Roy said after casting his ballot in Disong in Shella constituency around 7.30 am.

The Congress has fielded candidates in all constituencies followed by the UDP which is contesting 50 seats.

The Purno Sangma-led Nationalist People's Party has 32 candidates while the Nationalist Congress Party will contest in 21 seats. The Hill State People's Democratic Party has fielded 17 candidates.

source : zeenews.india.com