Nongpoh, Feb 23: Acting on the information that one MLA from West Karbi Anglong district in Assam was found giving a speech that voters from Block II area will not be allowed to cast votes during the Meghalaya General Assembly Election 2023, the District Election Officer (DEO) promptly raised the matter with Deputy Commissioner of West Karbi Anglong and requested for serious action be taken against the said MLA for indulging in such unconstitutional act.
The same matter has been conveyed to the CEO and Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, based on that, the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya had written officially to the Chief Secretary of Assam and also the CEO Meghalaya is in touch with the CEO of Assam, according to a Press release.
The DEO, Ri Bhoi district today informed that the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of West Karbi Anglong had summoned the concerned MLA regarding his illegal statement.
The DEO Ri Bhoi District also said that this concerned MLA should refrain from giving such kind of statement in public which is against the Representation of People’s (RP) Act. He also said there is a Supreme Court Ruling with regards to the polling stations which are in border Areas and as per that Ruling, the Status Quo has to be maintained and there should be no change and none can stop the voters from exercising their franchise when their name is in the electoral roll.
In addition, the DEO Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh has also informed that earlier a meeting was held by both the district administrations of Ri Bhoi and West Karbi Anglong together with the local people and headmen of border areas and their views were taken for action.
Meanwhile, the DEO also informed that every time it has come to the knowledge that people from across the state boundary areas were trying to take advantage of this situation, spreading rumours or fake news, the district administration, the office of the DEO and the SP’s office have immediately taken sufficient steps to ensure that there is enough security provision and large number of personnel from Meghalaya Police and CAPF have been deployed in that area for regular foot patrolling and restoring confidence to the people.
As far as security is concerned, there is no issue or no atmosphere of fear prevailing in the run up to the election, also adding that the office of DEO and the CEO Meghalaya are committed that no voters would be left behind.
Hence, the DEO appealed to the people of the district not to believe in any kind of fake news or rumours and anyone who has the right to vote will be allowed to vote, there will be no hindrance and assured that there will be complete smooth conduct of the election.
Anyone who is found spreading any kind of fake new, rumours or creating atmosphere of fear that can impact the conduct of free and fair election, then action will be taken against that person accordingly.