SHILLONG, APR 19: Meghalaya is all geared up to hold the bye-election to the 2-Tura parliamentary constituency along with nine other states in the country on May 16.
With the announcement made by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday, the ‘model code of conduct’ has come into force with immediate effect in the five districts of Garo hills, which is a militancy-prone region of the state.
The bye-election was necessitated following the demise of the former Lok Sabha speaker Purno Agitok Sangma on March 4 this year.
“The model code of conduct shall be applicable to all candidates, political parties and departments besides developmental projects where the bye-election will be held,” State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) FR Kharkongor told reporters.
He informed that the notifications will be issued on April 22, with the last date to file nominations a week after. The date of scrutiny of papers has been fixed on April 30 while the last date of withdrawal of candidature will be on May 2.
Counting of votes will take place on May 19 and electronic voting machines will be used in all the poll-bound constituencies.
The state election chief also informed that a video conferencing was also held with the deputy commissioner of West Garo hills district, who is the returning officer of Tura constituency, and the four other DCs of the region.
“They (DCs) have been asked to gear up for the elections which they are doing and now they will be finalizing the whole poll preparedness machinery,” Kharkongor said.
He however said that the deputy commissioners have also been asked to furnish details on the expenditure involved in the conduct of the elections.
On the law and order in Garo Hills region because of militancy and insurgency problem, he said that the department would convene meetings with the police department to discuss various issues. “We are holding a series of consultations with the police department from tomorrow and we will be engaging with them on these issues of concerns,” he said.
According to him, the actual number of forces required for the conduct of election in the context of Garo Hills situation will also be worked out during the meeting.
Stating that Meghalaya traditionally has always been peaceful during elections , Kharkongor said, “There has always been a peaceful conduct of elections so far and we hope this time police and election machineries will rise to the occasion and will be able to deliver an election which is smooth, free and fair.”
When asked, the CEO informed that region has a total of 945 polling stations spread in the five districts and the number of polling officers required will only be known in the next few days, when the DCs submit their reports.
Stating that there is a total of 6.22 lakh voters till January this year, Kharkongor said, “Out of which 3.15 lakh are male and 3.6 lakh are female.”
There were cases reported during the last GHADC elections about zero participation of voters in some of the polling stations, which may also be covered under the Tura constituency.
On being questioned about the steps the elections department will take to ensure maximum voters’ turnout during the upcoming bye-election, Kharkongor said that the deputy commissioners have been asked to undertake drives to ensure that voters are encouraged to come to the polling stations.
He also said there will be some activities and campaigns to ensure maximize voters’ participation especially the 18-19 categories who are new voters. “We hope that there will be no polling stations with zero polling,” the CEO added.-By Our Reporter
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