By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Personal attacks, loose talks and clandestine distribution of money among other cheap means in certain constituencies marked the otherwise silent campaigns in the run up to the Assembly election in the State.
Gone are the days when political leaders used to highlight the issues concerning the people during their campaigns.
With hardly any one raising the burning problems being faced by the people of the constituencies, the campaigns are turning ugly with some candidates making personal remarks and character assassination of candidates of certain constituencies of Shillong.
Though there are plenty of election observers appointed to scrutinize the campaigns, there is hardly any action on the mudslinging. The model code of conduct did not prevent some supporters of contesting candidates in the Shillong urban constituencies from intruding into the private lives of candidates and hurling abuses which are checked neither by the election observers nor by the election officials.
Some candidates, instead of raising burning issues like price hike, water scarcity, construction of road, foot paths and setting up of street lights, have desperately shifted their focus to what can be termed as a ‘misinformation campaign’.
When pointed out about the personal attacks on the candidates by the opponents, the Chief Electoral Officer, P. Naik recently said that anyone can lodge complaint with the electoral officers for necessary action on the same.
The hidden nature of money exchanging hands is also a cause of worry especially in Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills and Garo Hills.
The election department has already alerted the respective deputy commissioners to be on vigil and arrest the trend.
An election official said that the fault is also with the voters, who accept the money without bothering to report the matter to the concerned authorities.
It may be mentioned that there have been quite a few cases of seizure of money from parts of the State.