Poll officer warns against ‘selling’ votes

SHILLONG: With political parties going all out to garner votes ahead of the 2018 state elections, Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor has urged people to not sell their votes as it will have a bearing on the future.
Kharkongor said on Wednesday street dramas are held across Khasi and Jaintia hills to create awareness on Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) as well as informed and ethical voting to dissuade people from the practice of “cash for vote”.
“Your vote is precious. If you sell your vote that means you sell your future,” was what the chief electoral officer had to say. Elections in Meghalaya have a history of using money power during polls.
Meanwhile, turning to another issue of dubious voters, Kharkongor said if people have any complaints against dubious voters, the complainant can fill Form 7 in which names will be deleted provided there are valid reasons.
He said some doubtful voters’ names were detected and deleted in areas closer to the border in Garo Hills.