Special observers review poll preparedness with govt officials

SHILLONG, Jan 28: The Election Commission of India-appointed Special Observers on Saturday held a meeting with senior Meghalaya government officials and reviewed the election preparedness in the state, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) FR Kharkongor said.
Election to the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly is scheduled for February 27. The last date for filing nomination is February 7 and the last date for withdrawal of nomination is February 10.
Special General Observer Y Tripathi, Special Police Observer V Johri and Special Expenditure Observer B Murli Kumar conducted a detailed review of the election preparedness with the CEO, chief secretary, Meghalaya DGP, state police nodal officer, Deputy Commissioner and Superintendents of Police of all the 12 districts and other officials, Kharkongor said.
Tripathi instructed the officials to strictly adhere to the Election Commission’s timelines to complete various activities during the election process, Kharkongor said.
The Special Expenditure Observer stressed on proper coordination amongst various enforcement agencies.
Kumar also instructed activation of the number of flying and static surveillance teams deployed and to generate enhanced awareness of C-Vigil apps among voters, improve coordination mechanism with BSF along the international border, enable GPS tracking on flying squad team vehicles and ensure that all banks submit daily reports on suspicious transactions to DEO and Income Tax.
According to the CEO, at least 34 constituencies are expenditure-sensitive and necessary preparations are in place in these segments.
A separate state-level review was held on the monitoring the expenditure with the nodal officers of Income Tax, CGST, ED, NCB, DRI, CBIC, SLBC, RBI, Airport Director and State Police, Excise, Forest, and State GST Commissioners, the CEO said. (PTI)