Newmai News Network Shillong | May 28 The bye-election to 53 Ampati A/C in Meghalaya went off peacefully with a huge turnout with 90.42% of the voters exercising their franchise. Informing about the percentage, Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Fredrick R Kharkongor said the polling process went on smoothly. He also informed that a lot of people with disabilities and senior citizens turned up in large numbers and participated in the voting process. Speaking about the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) machines, Kharkongor maintained only one such machine was changed at a polling stations. He also informed that a company of the paramilitary force has been retained for the counting day considering the reports of clashes between the supporters of NPP and the Congress in the run up to the Ampati bye-election. “We have retained a company of the paramilitary force who will guard the strong room and also ensure that counting goes on smoothly with no law and order problem,” said Kharkongor. The Ampati constituency is a battle of pride for both National People’s Party and the Congress as its outcome will decide which party emerges as the single largest party in state. The NPP and the Congress have 20 MLAs each in the house of 60.
