Itanagar: An estimated 68.5 per cent votes were cast in the bypoll to Pakke-Kessang and Likabali constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday.

Pakke-Kessang recorded 86 per cent polling, while Likabali recorded 51 per cent, joint chief electoral officer D.J. Bhattacharjee said.

The polling percentage in both the constituencies will increase as reports from several polling stations are yet to be received by the election office here. The polling, which began at 7am, was largely peaceful except for an incident of electronic voting machine (EVM) damage by a few miscreants at Siberity, a booth in Likabali constituency, where polling was suspended, Bhattacharjee added.

"A technical snag developed in an EVM at Durpai polling station in Likabali owing to which polling was suspended," he said, adding re-polling would be ordered in both the booths.

Though polling was moderate in the morning because of chilly weather conditions, it gained momentum as the day progressed.

Elaborate security arrangements were made with state police, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and four companies of central paramilitary forces being deployed.

Former deputy chief minister Kameng Dolo (Congress) is contesting against BJP nominee B.R. Waghe in Pakke-Kessang, while the Likabali constituency witnessed a multi-cornered contest by Kardo Nyigyor (BJP), Modam Dini (Congress), Gumke Riba of Peoples' Party of Arunachal and Independent candidate Sengo Taipodia. 

The critical polling booths were covered by the CRPF and the Indian Reserve Battalion personnel. Altogether 150 polling personnel were deployed for Pakke-Kessang, while 220 polling personnel conducted the polling in Likabali, Bhattacharjee said.

The Pakke-Kessang Assembly seat has 7,455 voters, including 3,943 women, while Likabali has 10,608 electorates, including 5,331 women. PTI