Stage is all set for Monday

countdown to the elections to the KHADC and JHADC began here as campaigning ended at 4 pm on Saturday. The fate of as many as 212 candidates will be decided on February 24 district council elections where over eight lakh voters would exercise their franchise.

A total number of 123 candidates, including 12 women, are contesting in the KHADC polls while 89 candidates including two women candidates will fight it out in the JHADC election.

A total number of 6, 68, 398 voters (3, 21,837 male and 3, 46,561 female) would cast their votes in the KHADC poll, while 2,09,217 voters (1,02,039 male and 1, 07, 17 female) will exercise their electoral powers in the JHADC election.

While taking to newsmen here on Saturday, hours after the election campaign ended, Commissioner and Secretary in charge District Council Affairs (DCA) department, Jopthiaw Lyngdoh said that a total number of 1925 EVMs would be used in 1,492 polling stations.

“We have enough EVMs at our disposal to attend any emergency. We also have 15 engineers from the Electronic Communication of India Limited to attend to any problems in the EVMs,” Lyngdoh said while asserting that the machines in use are full proof.

Out of the 1,148 polling stations for the KHADC 142 are hypersensitive and 188 sensitive. While out of the 344 polling stations for the JHADC poll 72 have been marked hypersensitive and 136 sensitive.

District wise, there are 68 hypersensitive booths in East Khasi Hills, seven in West Khasi Hills, 15 in South West Khasi Hills, 36 in Ri Bhoi, 19 in Sohra, 25 in West Jaintia Hills and 40 in East Jaintia Hills district.

Lyngdoh also informed that assistance has been sought from the Meghalaya Police Radio Operators (MPRO) to provide wireless service in areas without mobile network.

DIG Eastern Range, A Sunn informed that 5284 security personnel have been deployed for the smooth conduct of election including officers in the rank of Superintendent of Police (SPs) and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSPs).

He also said that 10 platoons of the CRPF have been deputed in various police stations to assist in maintaining law and order.

“The CRPF personnel are not assigned with election duties,” Sunn said.

The DIG also informed that as a preventive measure notices have been issued to 66 per cent of the trouble mongers to refrain from any mischief making.

“We have also seized licensed weapons, mainly SSBL guns, to prevent their misuse at the time of election,” he said adding that the BSF have been asked to revamp security measures along the international border during the elections.

Lyngdoh also informed that there five villages in West Khasi Hills where the police have to travel through Assam to reach.

Peaceful campaign

As the campaigning for the district council elections ended at 4 pm on Saturday, there were no reports of violation of the model code of conduct from any constituency.

This was informed by senior DCA official Jopthiaw Lyngdoh.

A complaint, however, alleged that campaigning continued in Mawlai even after the permissible hours on Saturday.

Additional District Magistrate DM Wahlang, however, dismissed the complaint as untrue.