Meghalaya: Over 66% votes polled

Over 66% voters exercised their franchise in the polls to two parliamentary seats in Meghalaya, which passed off peacefully today.

"The poll turn-out was recorded at 66% till 5 PM when most of the polling was closed," state Chief Election Officer P Naik told PTI.

The final polling figure would, however, be got only after information from remote polling stations arrived, he said.

Polling was peaceful and there was no report of any untoward incident, state Director General of Police P J P Haaman said.

Voting was held amid a boycott called by banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council in Khasi-Jaintia Hills region and threats of militant attacks in 188 polling stations in the Garo Hills region.

Voters defied the 12-hour bandh called by HNLC and turned out in huge numbers wearing their traditional colourful dresses and waited in long queues at the polling stations where security was beefed up.

The fate of 10 candidates, including former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma and lone woman candidate Ivory Shylla will be decided in today's poll.

Over 4,000 EVMs equipped with special Braille-code buttons and having NOTA option were used for the first time in the state.

As many as 41 companies of paramilitary forces were deployed for the polls, election office sources said.