Guwahati: As many as 900 polling stations across Meghalaya have been identified as vulnerable and critical. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said on Saturday.
As many as 900 polling stations in Meghalaya have been identified as vulnerable and essential. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) announced on Saturday.
CEO FR Kharkhongor said, “These 900 polling stations have had some past records (of violence).”
The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were deployed in Meghalaya by the Election Commission in 119 companies to prevent any law and order issues and guarantee a smooth election process.
“To ensure law and order, we have deployed 119 companies (of central paramilitary forces) here,” Kharkongor said.
“We had deployed 40 companies earlier and another 79 companies after the successful conduct of the Tripura Assembly elections. There are no reports of any law-and-order problems so far. Unfortunately, however, a candidate for the Sohiong constituency passed away in a hospital, resulting in the postponement of elections in this segment. We have already sent information and recommendation for adjustment of the poll to the Election Commission. So, in all likelihood, polling will be held in 59 of the 60 Assembly constituencies,” the Meghalaya CEO added.
“We have set up a total 3,482 polling stations. All preparations are underway and all 12 district election teams have made all arrangements for the polls and further preparation is underway. We had some minor issues in Garo hills where there was a clash between members of two parties at Phulbari in the West Garo hills district. But that dispute was resolved. We arrested 31 persons in connection with the matter. A few incidents took place in Shillong but the situation there is also under control. By and large, election preparedness is going on smoothly,” he said.
The EC had also mandated that Meghalaya’s state border with Assam and its international border with Bangladesh be sealed until the day of the state’s upcoming election.
“We have taken preventive measures to ensure a free and fair election in the state. Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed along the international border,” Kharkongor said.
“It is necessary that the international border with Bangladesh must be sealed and movement to and from the international border should be restricted. If such unregulated movement of individuals between the two countries is allowed, then there is a likelihood of law and order problems and risk to human life, public safety and tranquillity,” said the order copy.
It may be mentioned that polling to the 60-member Meghalaya legislative assembly will be held on February 27 (Monday) and the results will be declared on March 2.