Shillong, Jan 11: The Election Commission of India announced the election dates for holding the assembly in Meghalaya which will be on February 23 informed Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P Naik here on Friday.
Addressing media person here on Friday Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P Naik informed that for Meghalaya, the Election Commission of India has fixed January 30 as the date of notification and the last day of filing of nomination by the candidates will be on February 6. The nomination papers of the candidates will be scrutinized on February 7 and the last day of the withdrawal of nomination will be in February 9. Besides, he also said that five days later on February 28, the counting and the results will be announced.
Commenting on the smooth conduct of the polls in militancy-affected Garo Hills and the border areas of West Khasi Hills, Naik said the state has urged the Union ministry of home affairs through the Election Commission for more security personnel in addition to the existing 22 companies of para-military forces.
“We have projected to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs a requirement of 6-7 more companies of para-military forces”, the state chief electoral officer said while hoping that the poll is conducted peacefully in the militancy-affected districts of Garo Hills.
“So far, we have not received any information in relation to the call for boycott of the poll by any militant outfit”, Naik said while adding that use of money and muscle power would be equally checked and monitored by the election commission.
Meanwhile, Naik has also informed that International border as well as Assam border will be classified as sensitive adding that there is coordination with the CEO of Assam in this regard. “People living in the border areas (disputed areas) who have their name in the electoral roll can cast their votes”, he added.
While highlighting on the goals and challenges of the commission, the CEO said the two important goals included free movement of people during the campaigning period and free polling. Stressing on the challenges, Naik expressed management of EVMs in all the polling stations as a challenge while adding that like last time, video cameras will be placed in some polling stations.
