SHILLONG: As the Supreme Court have asked Meghalaya Government to hold Municipal elections at the earliest, the State Cabinet on Monday asked the Urban Affairs Department to reach out to the concerned stakeholders and hold discussions and consultations with each and every stakeholder since the issue is sensitive.
Talking to media persons after the cabinet meeting, Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong said as per the Municipal Act, there are 27 wards and Government had tried 2-3 times to conduct elections and the government last year had filed an affidavit saying it may conduct elections in 5 wards.
“After that they will come back to the Government and see whether amendment of the Shillong Municipal Act is required or not,” he said
Stating that the Urban Affairs department has to do an extensive home work on the matter, the Deputy Chief Minister informed that the Government in the year 1998 conducted elections and out of 27 wards, five were duly elected including ward number 2,21,23,24 and 26
He also informed that the Government in the year 2000 intended to conduct municipal elections but it could not be held as only nomination paper was filed and even it was withdrawn later.
“We want to see that once the order for the elections are issued, it has to be held peacefully,” he said.