SHILLONG: The delay in resolving the pending peace settlement between Naga insurgent groups in Nagaland and the Centre is cited as the reason for the Election Commission’s slow pace in deciding the poll dates for three northeastern states, including Meghalaya.
An official source said on Saturday that there is pressure from political parties and civil societies in Nagaland to defer the polls in that state pending solution to the settlement while the Centre wanted to hold the elections in time since it is mandatory as per the Constitution.
Besides Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura will also go to the polls in February.
In 2013, while the election for Tripura was held on February 14, the date for Meghalaya and Nagaland was on February 23 and the counting of votes was on February 28.
Political parties, candidates and ticket aspirants in Meghalaya are eagerly waiting for the declaration of the date for the polls.
The Congress and BJP have decided to wait for the announcement of polls for the declaration of candidates. The current term of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly expires on March 6 and that of Nagaland and Tripura on March 13 and 14, respectively. All these three northeastern states have 60-member House.
