SHILLONG: The State Election department on Thursday said it was fully prepared to conduct the by-election to the Nongstoin Assembly constituency on November 21.
The by-election was necessitated following the death of sitting legislator Hoping Stone Lyngdoh in Shillong on September 26.
Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer P. Naik on Thursday said nominations were yet to be filed for the by-poll.
On the sudden announcement of the election, the official said as per rule, by-elections are to be held within six month and this time the Election Commission of India has clubbed eleven states together where by-elections are to be held due to varied reasons.
“We are fully prepared with man power and materials,” he said.
On the security scenario, Naik said the State Government has sought two companies of central forces including one company of BSF and one company of CrPF for the election.
There will be 39 polling stations for the by-election including one woman only polling station.
Altogether, there are 29,509 general and service electors in the constituency including 14,503 males and 14,985 females.
Series of restrictions
The District Magistrate, West Khasi Hills, has regulated the use of loudspeakers within the district in view of the by-election. Use of loudspeakers will be permitted only between 6 am and 10 pm. All political parties, candidates and others using any loudspeakers on moving vehicles have to intimate the registration number of those vehicles to the authorities granting permission to use the loudspeakers. No loudspeakers will be permitted to be used during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll in the State.
The District Magistrate has also promulgated an order under Section 144 CrPC prohibiting writing, pasting of posters/papers or defacement in any other form, or erecting/displaying of cut-outs, hoarding, banners etc, on any government premise including civil structures.
Temporary and easily removable advertisement materials such as flags and banners may be put up in private premises with the voluntary permission of the owners and a photocopy of the permission shall be submitted to the Returning Officer.
Another order under Section 144 CrPC bans carrying of licensed arms and other lethal weapons including indulging in any kind of activity by any member of the public that may vitiate the smooth, free and fair conduct of elections.
Further, any person giving or accepting any gratification in cash or kind during election process, with a view to duping the person to exercise his electoral rights is punishable with imprisonment up to one year or with fine or with both.
In addition, any person who threatens any candidate or elector, or any other person, with injury of any kind, is punishable with imprisonment up to one year or with fine or both.
Flying squads have been formed to register cases against both the giver and the taker of bribe and for taking action against those who are engaged in threat and intimidation of electors.
Citizens have been requested to refrain from taking any bribe and in case any offer is made than complaint should be lodged on the number 9856973849 of the 24×7 Complaint Monitoring Cell of the district.
