SHILLONG, Oct 21 - Polling was held peacefully for the Shella bypoll, in which around 84.56 per cent, out of the 29,000-odd voters in the constituency, exercised their franchise on Monday till reports last came in.
Chief Election Officer Fredrick Roy Kharkongkor said polling was peaceful, with no untoward incident reported. �Reports showed 79.38 per cent of the voters exercised their franchise by 5 pm. This figure will increase as figures come in from remote polling stations,� the CEO said on Monday evening.
There are six candidates in the fray. United Democratic Party candidate Balajiedkupar Synrem is one of the favourites. Synrem is the son of former Assembly Speaker Donkupar Roy. The bypoll was necessitated due to Roy�s death on July 28 this year. Roy held the Shella seat for seven consecutive terms. Giving Synrem a close contest is Congress candidate Batyngshain Laitmon Ryngnga.
Polling started on a sluggish note at 7 am and recorded just 15.5 per cent at 9 am. Voting came to a close at 5 pm. At 12 pm, the polling figure rose to 36 per cent, and by 4 pm, 75.84 per cent of the total voters had exercised their franchise.
The constituency borders Bangladesh and some of the polling stations can be reached only after crossing difficult terrain.
