'Was Surprised...': Meghalaya CM Drives Early To Polling Booth, But Other Voters Beat Him

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma stood in a queue with others at Walbakgre polling station in Tura Lok Sabha constituency.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma shows his finger marked with indelible ink after casting his vote for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Source : PTI

Lok Sabha Elections: As phase 1 voting in the Lok Sabha elections kicks off in 102 constituencies, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma stood in a queue with others at Walbakgre polling station in Tura Lok Sabha constituency on Friday morning and exercised his franchise. Sangma, who is also the NPP President, drove himself to reach the polling station. He said that he reached the booth at 6:30 with the hope of casting his vote first but was surprised after seeing so many people before him.

"I reached the booth at 6.30 hoping to vote first. But I was pleasantly surprised that there were many people before me. It is a healthy trend. Voting is a right of every citizen," said the Chief Minister, as quoted by news agency PTI.

He, along with two Lok Sabha MPs of the state, who are also candidates, exercised their francise. The CM urged all to cast their votes. The northeastern state has two Lok Sabha constituencies - Tura and Shillong. NPP’s Agatha K Sangma and state Congress president Vincent H Pala are seeking re-election from Tura and Shillong seats respectively.

Tura MP Agatha Sangma, NPP leader and sister of the chief minister, expressed happiness that a large number of people have come out to vote in the morning. "People are generally more enthusiastic to vote in assembly elections compared to the Lok Sabha polls. So, it is a very positive sign, she said, as quoted by PTI. Agatha Sangma reached the polling booth at around 7.30 am and stood in a queue with other voters.

Pala, three-time MP from Shillong, also cast his vote in Lamyrsiang polling station in East Jaintia Hills district. "Polls are being held in a free and fair manner," Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) BDR Tiwari said, as quoted by PTI.