Meghalaya is all set to go for by-elections in two Assembly constituencies on Thursday, which will also decide the fate of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. Votes will be casted from 7 am to 5 pm and the counting will be held on August 27, confirmed an election official.
The by-elections in the two seats have been necessitated following the resignations of former five-time Ranikor MLA Martin M Danggo, who joined the NPP, and MLA of South Tura, Agatha K Sangma to make space for his brother Conrad Sangma.
Security has been tightened ahead of the bypolls and four companies of the Central Armed Police Force have been deployed, each in both the constituencies, said the official.
Extra vigil will be kept by the BSF in Ranikor constituency as it borders Bangladesh, he added.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma is currently a member of Parliament from Tura and is contesting from the South-Tura seat in West Garo Hills district.
He had received the ruling National People's Party (NPP) ticket to enter the state Assembly.
Sangma was elected as the chief minister on March 6, with the support of regional parties and the BJP.
The chief minister is pitted against Congress' Charlotte W Momin and independents John Leslee K Sangma and Chris Kabul A Sangma.
NPP's Martin M Danggo will face UDP candidate Pius Marwein, PDF chairman PN Syiem and Congress candidate Jackiush Sangma in Ranikor Assembly constituency in South West Khasi Hills district.
South Tura constituency comprises of 30,231 voters in 36 polling stations, while the Ranikor constituency has 65 polling stations with 29,685 eligible voters, according to an election official.
