Shillong, Feb 04: The Government of Meghalaya has notified the following Orders in respect of the conduct of elections to the three Autonomous District Councils in the State.
The security deposit prescribed under Rules 134(1) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951 as amended is raised to Rs. 3000/- only.
The maximum scale of election expense which may be incurred by the candidate for election in a constituency as provided in Rules 176 of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951 is raised to Rs. 5,00,000/- only.
That the None of the Above (NOTA) option is introduced in the elections to the three Autonomous District Council in the State subject to the condition that even if, in any extreme case, the number of voters against NOTA is more than the number of voters secured by the candidates, the candidate who secures the largest number of votes among the contesting candidates shall be declared to be elected.
After the panel, containing the name and particulars of the last candidate on the ballot paper, there shall be a panel below the said last panel with the words None of the Above written therein for the benefit of those electors who may wish to exercise the option of not voting for any of the candidates in the fray. These words shall be written in the same language or languages as used in the case of names of candidates. The size of the panel shall be the same as in the case of the candidates.
The symbol and other procedures in respect of NOTA shall be as prescribed by the Election Commission of India from time to time.The above orders shall come into force with effect from the date of publication of Notification and remain in force till the relevant rules are amended by the respective Autonomous District Councils.
