Guwahati: The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and National People's Party (NPP) in one assembly constituency have so far registered wins in by-elections held in Mizoram and Meghalaya of northeast India.
Similarly, Assam's ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) are enjoying visible leads in all
five assembly seats, where votes counting began this morning.
MNF nominee K. Laldawngliana received over 5500 votes in the Tuirial seat, where Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) candidate Pu Laltlanmawia got less than 4500 votes. The Congress representative Chalrosanga Ralte found himself in the third position. The byelections in the Tuirial constituency was necessitated following the death of sitting legislator Andrew H. Thangliana (ZPM).
Tuirial seat under Kolasib district was a Congress stronghold since 2008. But in the last assembly polls (2018) the Congress lost the seat. It even found itself in the third position after MNF (Sailothanga Sailo). Thangliana was not given the Congress ticket, and hence, he fought as a ZPM nominee.
In Meghalaya, the NPP candidate Absus Saleh emerged victorious from Rajabala assembly constituency. He was ahead of Hashina Yasmin Mondal (INC) and Ashahel D Shira (United Democratic Party). The byelections in the Rajabala seat was necessitated because of the demise of sitting MLA Azad Zaman (UDP).
Besides, Rajabala two other constituencies, namely Mawryngneng and Mawphlang went for by-polls on 30 October last. Counting votes for all by-elections in the region and some other states in mainland India began from 8 am. The total outcome is expected by the afternoon hours as EVMs were used in the electoral processes.
The election authority informed that no victory procession after counting would be allowed, and only two people would be permitted to
accompany the winning candidate (or his/her authorized representative) to receive the certificate. Necessary precautions are made in view of the Covid-19 restrictions across the country.
Assam's chief electoral officer Nitin Khade reviewed the fool-proof counting arrangements with district electoral officers and expressed satisfaction about the preparations. He directed that all laid down instructions of the Election Commission must be adhered to and the
counting halls would be fully corona-guidelines compliant.
"Fool-proof security measures are taken to ensure smooth conduct of the counting process. Three-layer security arrangements are made in the counting locations. Special security arrangements are made in between the strong room and counting hall, so that no untoward incidents may occur," said the statement.
