Elections 2023: 12% Turnout In Meghalaya, 17% In Nagaland. PM Modi, Cong Prez Kharge Urge People To Vote

Till 9 am, Meghalaya recorded a voter turnout of 12.06 percent while Nagaland recorded a turnout of 17.60 percent 

PM Modi, Congress President Kharge urge people to vote in large numbers ( Image Source :PTI )

Meghalaya Nagaland Elections: Voting for the 59 seats of the 60-member assemblies of Meghalaya and Nagaland is underway amid tight security. Voters are arriving in large numbers to exercise their right to franchise. According to official data from the Election Commission of India, Meghalaya recorded a voter turnout of 12.06 percent while Nagaland recorded a turnout of 17.60 percent till 9 am. 

Asking people to cast votes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the youth to vote in record numbers. In a tweet, the PM said, Urging the people of Meghalaya and Nagaland, particularly the young and first time voters, to vote in record numbers today.” 

Urging the people of Meghalaya and Nagaland, particularly the young and first time voters, to vote in record numbers today.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 27, 2023

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also took to the micro-blogging platform and asked the people to give ‘change a chance’. 

He said, “People of Meghalaya and Nagaland are looking towards progressive, welfare-oriented governments. Welcome our first time voters to participate in this democratic process for a better future. Urge our sisters and brothers of Meghalaya and Nagaland to give change a chance.” 

People of Meghalaya and Nagaland are looking towards progressive, welfare-oriented governments.

Welcome our first time voters to participate in this democratic process for a better future.

Urge our sisters and brothers of Meghalaya and Nagaland to give change a chance.

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) February 27, 2023

A tough political contest is on cards with multiple parties trying their luck in the crucial first set of assembly polls in 2023. Political parties did intense campaigns in these states to woo the voters with promises and attacks on their rivals.  

The polling is being held on 59 seats of the 60 seats in both states. In Nagaland, BJP candidate Kazheto Kinimi from Akuluto won unopposed while in Meghalaya, the election to Sohiong was deferred after the demise of former minister and UDP candidate HDR Lyngdoh. 

In Meghalaya, a multi-cornered battle will be witnessed with BJP, Congress, CM Conrad Sangma's NPP (National People's Party) and TMC giving tough times to each other. BJP is contesting on all the seats in Meghalaya alone this time after a rift with old ally NPP over corruption allegations. 

In Nagaland, while BJP and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) is looking to retain power, the opposition is aiming to dethrone the incumbent government from the state. The BJP and NDPP are contesting the elections on a 20:40 seat-sharing arrangement while the Naga People's Front (NPF) and Congress are contesting in 22 and 23 seats respectively.