Shillong/UNI: Voting for the elections to the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, which began on a dull note, picked up momentum by noon amid tight security arrangements to ensure free and fair polling.

Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Roy Kharkongor said polling is picking up and voters’ turnout is 26.7 per cent at 11 am.

"There were reports of some malfunctions in the voting machines in Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills and they have been immediately replaced. Voting is going on smoothly," Kharkongor said.

Several candidates have also casted their votes and the proponent candidates includes former Assembly Speaker and Trinamool Congress president, Charles Pyngrope, who is seeking re-election from Nongthymmai seat, former Education Minister and National People’s Party candidate, Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh.