SHILLONG: The Election Commission of India has finally announced simultaneous by-polls in Ranikor and South Tura constituencies.
The EC on Friday announced that Ranikor will also go to polls on August 23 and counting for both will be on August 27.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had on Wednesday urged the Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat to hold simultaneous by-polls in Ranikor and South Tura citing that this would clear doubts regarding one poll result influencing the other.
Earlier, the Congress had pointed out that holding by-poll only in South Tura will provide advantage to the party in power (NPP) and would defeat the spirit of free and fair election.
The chief minister said in the letter sent on July 25 to the CEC that “holding simultaneous elections would remove any aspersions cast with regard to possible results of one Assembly constituency having any undue influence over polling in the other Assembly constituency”.
He also said simultaneous polls would facilitate political activities and electioneering with a view to clear logistic challenges.
Earlier, besides the Congress, UDP had also written to the commission to hold simultaneous polls.
PDF chief P N Syiem also wanted holding simultaneous polls in South Tura and Ranikor.
The Gazette notification on the by-polls will be issued on July 30 and the last date for filing nominations is August 6. The date of scrutiny is August 7. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is August 9 and the election process will be completed before August 29.
According to state Chief Election Officer FR Kharkongor, Ranikor constituency has 29,670 voters, including 15,183 male and 14,487 female. Total number with service voters is 29,685.
The largest polling station in the constituency is Rangthong with 817 voters and the smallest is Nongbahjynrin Mawthabah with 63 voters.
Ranikor and South Tura seats fell vacant following the resignation of MM Danggo and Agatha Sangma, respectively.
