Shillong, August 23: Bypolls in two assembly seats in Meghalaya were held on Thursday. A 72.87 percent polling was registered in South Tura constituency West Garo Hills district. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma contested from this constituency. Sangma is currently a Member of Parliament from Tura. It will be important for Sangma to win this seat to continue as the chief minister of the state.

Son of former chief minister Purno Sangma, he became the chief minister on 6 March with the support of regional parties and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He contested this election on National People’s Party (NPP). Congress fielded Charlotte W Momin against the CM. According to an election official, South Tura constituency has 30,231 voters — 14,846 men and 15,351 women — in 36 polling stations. Sangma's family members cast their vote at Walbakgre polling station. The polling started at 7 am.

Ranikor constituency of South West Khasi Hills witnessed 81.45 percent of polling. In Ranikor there is a tough constituency between NPP’s Martin Danggo and UDP’s Pius Marwein. There are total of 65 polling stations with 29,685 eligible voters — 15,183 men and 14,487 women in this constituency. In February 73.59 percent votes were polled in South Tura, while 89.5 percent polling was registered in Ranikor. Technical glitches on EVMs and VVPAD machines are reported at several polling stations.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 23, 2018 08:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).