SHILLONG: The campaigning for the August 23 by-polls to South Tura and Ranikor constituencies ends on Tuesday evening.
Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor said all arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair election and polling parties have been asked to reach polling stations well in advance.
Barring the complaints by NPP against Independent candidate John Leslee Sangma in South Tura and counter complaints, the campaign till date was normal.
There are four candidates in each constituency.
South West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo said reminders have been issued to all political parties that campaigning must stop 48 hours before the time fixed for completion of polling which is 5 pm on August 21.
All campaigners from outside the constituency have to leave.
In Ranikor, NPP’s Martin M Danggo will face UDP’s Pius Marwein, PDF’s PN Syiem and Congress’s Jackiush Sangma.
Security in the two poll-bound constituencies has been tightened.
West Garo Hills SP Raghvendra Kumar MG said police have four naka check points round the clock. Four companies of central armed paramilitary forces have already been deployed.
Besides, the police have five mobile parties which are dominating the vulnerable areas. The security arrangement in other parts of the district has been stepped up too.
To a query, the SP said there was no threat from any militant group “but looking at the past history, police have taken maximum precautions and South Tura constituency is being dominated by CAPF and the Special Force-10 personnel”.
The neighbouring state of Assam has been alerted and the international border in West Garo Hills has been sealed.
