As Meghalya goes for by-polls on Thursday, Chief Minister Condrad Sangma will be keenly observing the election results, as he is also a contestant in the polls.
Sangma, who is currently a MP from Tura, is contesting from South-Tura sear in West Garo Hills district on a National People's Party (NPP) ticket.
Son of former chief minister Purno Sangma, he became the chief minister on March 6 with the support of regional parties and the BJP.
Sangma is pitted against Congress' Charlotte W Momin and independents John Leslee K Sangma and Chris Kabul A Sangma.
In Ranikor Assembly constituency in South West Khasi Hills district NPP's Martin M Danggo will face UDP candidate Pius Marwein, PDF chairman P N Syiem and Congress candidate Jackiush Sangma.
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According to an election official, South Tura constituency has 30,231 voters -- 14,846 men and 15,351 women -- in 36 polling stations.
The Ranikor constituency has 65 polling stations with 29,685 eligible voters -- 15,183 men and 14,487 women, he said.
Voting will take place from 7 am to 5 pm and the counting of votes will be held on August 27, he said.
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.
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Security has been tightened for the bypolls with deployment of four companies of the Central Armed Police Force each in both the constituencies, the official said.
The BSF has been asked to keep extra vigil as Ranikor constituency as it borders Bangladesh, he said.
PTI
