SHILLONG: The stage is set and the battle lines are drawn as more than 19 lakh electorates in Meghalaya would exercise their franchise on Thursday to elect their representatives from Shillong and Tura parliamentary constituencies.
In Shillong, there are as many as six candidates including candidates from Congress, UDP and BJP whereas Tura seat is heading for a three -cornered battle between Congress, NPP and BJP.
The six candidates from Shillong seat are sitting MP Vincent H Pala (Congress), Jemino Mawthoh (UDP), who is also a common candidate of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance(MDA), Sanbor Shullai (BJP) and Independents Romeo Phira Rani, Bonney and Samuel Hashah
On the other hand Former chief minister Mukul M Sangma of the Congress will contest against National People’s Party (NPP) candidate and former Union Minister Agatha A Sangma and BJP’s Rikman G Momin in Tura seat.
Talking about the last arrangements for the biggest festival of democracy, Chief Electoral Officer, FR Kharkongor informed that there were more than 19.14 lakhs electorates in Meghalaya and a significant number of them are first-time voters.
“Our objective is to engage and connect with the youths,” he said.
Stating that the Election Commission has done everything within its capacity to create awareness, he added that road shows were organised covering all the 3167 polling stations across the length and breadth of the state.
There are 2053 polling stations under Shillong Lok Sabha Constituency and there are 1114 poling stations under Tura Constituency.
The Election Commission will be for the first time deploying poll volunteers from Bharat Scouts and Guides and other groups who would be assisting aged, infirm and PWD voters, in this election.
As the Election Commission is giving special focus on not leaving PwD voters behind, Kharkongor said that there are 4500 PwD voters in the state and different facilities like ramps, wheelchairs, magnifiers brail ballot papers will be put up for the benefit of the PwDs.
The polling officers have also been trained for understanding sign languages of the PwD voters.
As far as security is concerned, Kharkongor informed that altogether 40 companies of CAPF, 9000 state police personnel and more than 1700 home guards who will be deployed during the election process in Meghalaya.
Stating that the critical and vulnerable polling stations would be covered by CAPF, he added that there would be around 300 polling stations which would have the facility of webcasting.
In addition, CCTV cameras will also be installed besides many polling stations would also have micro observers to instill confidence in the minds of the people.
Admitting that there are some pockets in Shillong city, coal rich belt and some areas of Garo Hills which is a matter of concern as far as security is concern, he however added that elaborate security arrangements would be made to ensure a smooth and peaceful voting.
Like previous elections, the first five voters in every polling station would be given election medal and there would be selfie zones in about 60 model polling stations where voters after getting inked can click pictures and upload their photos in the social media
In model polling stations, people would also get takeaways and souvenirs and there would be waiting sheds as well.
It may be mentioned that the Election Commission is also using queue management system for the urban voters to see the number of voters in the queue so that they can go for voting at a time when there is less crowd in the queue.