57.8% polling in Martselang byelection

Our Correspondent

Leh, September 19

The Martselang constituency of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, which went to polls today, witnessed 57.8 per cent turnout in the byelection.

Of the 4,294 eligible voters, 2,482 votes exercised their right to franchise.

“The polling was held through ballot paper and was conducted by the district election authority, Leh. It was peaceful,” an official said.

The Stok polling station recorded 48.5 per cent voting while the upper Stok region registered 59 per cent turnout. There was 74.3 per cent voting at Matho, 63.2 per cent at Matho Farka Yokma, 57.2 per cent at Martselang, 69.3 at Changa , 46.4 per cent at Chomoling, 46.5 at Shang and 55.6 per cent at Chokdho. The counting will be held on September 23 in Leh.

The byelection was necessitated as the seat fell vacant due to the resignation of Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, who quit the CEC post after his victory as Member of Parliament (MP) from the Ladakh constituency.

There was a triangular contest for the seat with the ruling BJP, Congress and Independent candidates trying their luck.

The BJP has fielded Stanzin Chosphel while the Congress has given the ticket to sarpanch of Stok village, Tashi Nurbo. Independent candidate Rinchan Gyurmat is also in the fray.