SHILLONG: High voter turnouts were recorded in both the South Tura and Ranikor assembly byelections in the state on Thursday. Polling passed off peacefully in both constituencies.While 72.87% polling was registered for South Tura, over 83.02% of the electorate turned up to exercise their franchise in Ranikor. "The byelections were peaceful in both the assembly constituencies," chief electoral officer FR Kharkongor said.South Tura constituency has a total of 30,231 voters including 14,846 males and 15,351 females, 33 service voters and one NRI, in 36 polling stations. The Ranikor constituency has 65 polling stations with a total of 29,685 eligible voters including 15,183 males and 14,487 females.There was a dip of one percent in the polling percentage in South Tura, compared to the 73.59% recorded in the assembly elections in February last. The Ranikor constituency had registered 89.5% polling during the last assembly elections.South Tura has voted to decide the political fate of chief minister Conrad Kongkal Sangma, who is required to find a berth in the state assembly by September 16 next to continue as CM. Former MLA Agatha Sangma, sister of chief minister Conrad Sangma had vacated the South Tura assembly seat to facilitate her brother to contest and get elected to the state assembly, necessitating the byelection.Congress's Charlotte W Momin, Independent candidates John Leslee K Sangma and Kris Kabul A Sangma besides chief minister Conrad Sangma, who is also national president of the ruling National People's Party (NPP) are in the fray for South Tura.On the other hand, former assembly speaker MM Danggo (NPP), former chief executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council PN Syiem (People's Democratic Front), United Democratic Party's Pius Marwein and Jackiush Marak of the Congress are the contestants for the Ranikor assembly seat.

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