‘EC silent on poll code breach charge against CM’
SHILLONG: The State Election department is yet to receive any response from the Election Commission of India on the violation of model code of conduct by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma by way of using the chopper of the State Government during the election campaigns in Garo Hills.
“We had sent our report in this regard to the Election Commission of India, but the EC is silent on the matter,” Chief Electoral Officer P Naik told reporters on Tuesday.
To a question on the long duration of the election instead of holding the polls in single phase, Naik said that at least 43 days are needed for candidates to campaign after the announcement of the election dates.
“Moreover, there is difficulty in the deployment of central para-military forces all over the country if a single phase election is held,” Naik said.
Counting: Meanwhile, the State election department has made an elaborate arrangement for counting of votes for Shillong and Tura seats on Friday.
Naik said that the counting of votes in all the 13 centers would begin at 8 am. The 13 centers include all the 11 district headquarters besides Mairang and Sohra civil sub-divisions.
The returning officers will first count the votes of postal ballots followed by the counting votes in EVMs.
Though the official announcement of the results will be made at 5 pm on Friday, the results will be known by 2 pm unofficially, according to Naik.
The Government has already declared Friday as dry day on account of counting of votes.
Security has been tightened in and around the counting centers and the EVMs are under CCTV surveillance.
Security personnel will also be deployed in parts of the state during the announcement of results to prevent any untoward incidents.