900 polling booths in Meghalaya deemed critical, vulnerable before tomorrow's election

Shillong: The state's chief electoral officer (CEO) announced on Saturday that up to 900 polling stations across the state have been deemed vulnerable and crucial ahead of Monday's Assembly elections. Meghalaya's CEO, FR Kharkongor, stated on Saturday "These 900 polling stations have had some past records (of violence)."

"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, ANI reported.

"We have set up a total of 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.

Prior to this election, militant groups were active in the Garo and Khasi Hills area, and a few unfavourable incidents were reported.

To ensure a seamless election process for the Assembly elections in Meghalaya, the Election Commission has sent 119 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to the state.

The EC has mandated that Meghalaya's international boundary with Bangladesh be sealed until March 2.

"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.

On Friday, the district magistrate of East Khasi Hills district issued an order stating that, between February 24 and March 2, all individual movement will be severely prohibited within a one-kilometre radius of the India- Bangladesh border.

"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.

Along the border regions, Section 144 of the CrPC has also been implemented by the district administration of the East Khasi Hills district.

Meghalaya's votes, along with those from Tripura and Nagaland, will be counted on March 2.