SHILLONG/ TURA: The much awaited by-poll to South Tura Assembly constituency, where Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will contest to make his entry into the state legislature, will be held on August 23.
While voting will be from 8 am to 4 pm, counting of votes will take place on August 27. The Commission is yet to announce the date for the Ranikor by-poll.
With the announcement of the Election Commission, the model code of conduct has come into effect in the entire West Garo Hills district under which falls the South Tura constituency.
The by-poll has been necessitated following the resignation of sitting MLA Agatha K Sangma on July 2.
Agatha stepped down to pave the way for her elder brother to contest the seat after he became the chief minister on March 6.
The date of issuing the gazette notification for the by-election, which will enable the candidates file their nominations, will be on July 30.
The last day for nominations is on August 6 and the scrutiny of the papers will be taken up the next day.
The last date for withdrawal of candidature is August 9.
Talking to media persons on Monday, Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor said EVMs and VVPATs will be used in all the 36 polling stations in the constituency.
There are 30,231 electorate including 33 service voters. There are 15,351 female voters and 14,846 males.
There is also a Non Resident Indian voter registered with the constituency.
The largest polling station in the constituency is Matchakolgre (1,337 voters) and the smallest is Leper Colony (151 voters).
Reacting to a query, Kharkongor said he would hold a meeting with police officials on Wednesday and he is already in touch with the DGP for the conduct of the elections.
On the same day, Kharkongor will interact with the SP and the DC of West Garo Hills via video conference. He added that police will have regular meetings prior to the polls.
The official also added that they will first assess the requirements about the need of security personnel in the constituency and accordingly, adequate measures will be taken.
