SHILLONG:
Supporters of Grace Mary Kharpuri, the National People’s Party (NPP) candidate from Shella constituency, went berserk after their candidate lost to sitting MLA Balajied Kupar Synrem of United Democratic Party (UDP).
The crowd mistakenly thought Grace had won and their false information was confirmed by a local news channel who broke the news of her winning.
However, the last round was yet to be counted and on completion, UDP’s Balajied Kupar Synrem emerged victorious and the NPP supporters thought it was manipulated and demanded a recount.
The crowd went out of control and started pelting stones at the counting centre in Sohra, prompting law enforcing agencies to step in and disperse the crowd by deploying water cannons.
Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya FR Kharkongor told The Meghalayan that there is no ground for recount as there was no mistake with the counting to start with. “This whole misunderstanding started because the supporters were fed wrong information,” he said.
Kharkongor informed that Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in the area and NPP candidate from Shella, Grace Mary Kharpuri, even appealed to her supporters to remain calm.
“The situation is now under control,” he added.