Dubious voters worry KSU

SHILLONG: The Khasi Students Union (KSU) has raised concerns about dubious voters at a time when the state election commission is working on wartime footing to meet the target of enrolling 18 lakh voters before the Assembly elections in February.
Speaking to media persons after meeting East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar on Wednesday, KSU secretary Donald Thabah said political candidates often take the names of outsiders to expand their vote banks. He urged parties not to entertain such voters.
Thabah said people are coming for EPIC enrolment after 40-50 years.
“Where were they all these years,” he said and added that arrival of dubious voters would change the demography of the state.
Dkhar assured the KSU members that there would be an authentication process to weed out dubious voters from the electoral rolls.KSU also said legislations like the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Bill, 2016, the Meghalaya (Benami Transactions Prohibition) (Amendment) Bill, 2016, and entry and exit points can tackle the issue of illegal immigrants.
Local holiday
Meanwhile, the KSU central body said local holidays declared in honour of noted Khasi poet Soso Tham, and Khasi-Jaintia freedom fighters Tirot Singh Syiem and Kiang Nangbah should be respected by financial institutions and other companies.
Thabah said most of the financial and private institutions remain open even on local state holidays.