Guwahati: The Indo-Bangladesh border to be sealed off until March 2 in order to guarantee free and fair assembly elections in Meghalaya, the state’s chief electoral officer FR Kharkong announced on February 24.
The interstate border with Assam must be sealed until March 2 per a ruling from the election panel.
Votes will be tallied on March 2 after polls close on February 27 for the 60-member assembly constituency.
“All districts having the international border with Bangladesh have been asked to issue orders to seal and movement of people in the border areas would be restricted,” Kharkongor told media.
Additionally postponed until after the election is over is the running of “border haats.”
“If the unregulated movement of individuals between the two countries is allowed, there is a likelihood of law and order problems leading to danger to human life and disturbance to public tranquillity,” the CEO said.
On the other hand, Meghalaya minister Brolding Nongsiej has received a show-cause notice from the Election Commission of India (ECI) for reportedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by distributing money in his constituency.
According to reports, the notice was given as a result of a complaint made against the minister to the returning officer by a social organisation.
”In its complaint, the organisation had alleged that a woman was seen accepting the money being given by the minister,” the sources claimed.
After the complaint, the returning officer of Mawthadraishan Assembly constituency in West Khasi Hills district asked the candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP) to reply by February 25 as to why action should not be taken against him.
Elections to the 60-member Assembly are scheduled to be held on February 27 and the counting of votes will take place on March 2.