Early Assembly polls unlikely in Meghalaya

SHILLONG: Meghalaya is unlikely to have early Assembly polls as there is no indication from the Election Commission (EC) in this regard.
“There is no indication from the Election Commission of India for holding early polls,” Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor said on Monday.
There were rumours that the Meghalaya Assembly polls will be advanced to the end of this year.
However, Kharkongor said though the EC had discussed election preparedness with the chief electoral officers of the states which will go to polls this year and the next, there was no talks on holding polls early.
In the North East, the States which will go to polls in 2018 are Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram.
While Gujarat polls are scheduled for this year, Himachal Pradesh will go to polls next year.
In 2013, the election was announced in January and the polling date was February 23.
Kharkongor, however, said he is in touch with the deputy commissioners regarding election preparedness so that they can mobilise themselves.
Early election for Meghalaya is unlikely since Puja will be held in September followed by examinations in November and Christmas in December.
Kharkongor said the Election department is also looking at the enrollment of new voters who have attained 18 years of age in January next year.
Kharkongor said the EC will hold a meeting soon with the chief electoral officers of the poll-bound states.