Arunachal bypoll: 89 per cent voters’ turnout
Our Correspondent
Itanagar: An estimated 89 per cent (over 10,000 voters) exercised their franchise in the by-election to Khonsa West Assembly constituency in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh on Monday, election officials here said.
Though the voting was moderate in the morning hours, it gained momentum as the day progressed, joint Chief Electoral Officer DJ Bhattacharjee informed.
The polling was absolutely peaceful amid tight security measures without any report of untoward incidents.
The constituency witnessed a straight contest between two independent candidates – Chakat Aboh and Azet Hamtok.
Chakat Aboh, the wife of NPP leader Tirong Aboh who was shot dead in May, has been unanimously fielded by five major political parties including the ruling BJP in the State.
Tirap superintendent of police Kardak Riba said that adequate security forces, including 12 companies of paramilitary forces, IRBn and state police under the supervision of two SPs have been deployed to ensure free and fair polling.
According to Riba, ten deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), along with 16 inspectors and 26 sub-inspectors, have also been deployed at different locations.
Tirong Aboh, his son and nine others were shot dead by suspected NSCN militants at 12 Mile area in Tirap district on May 21, two days before he was declared elected from Khonsa West seat as a National People’s Party (NPP) candidate.
Counting of votes would be held on October 24 from 0800 hours, Bhattacharjee added.