SHILLONG, Feb 26: Elaborate security arrangements have been made throughout the state for the Assembly polls on Monday.
A total of 119 companies of central armed paramilitary forces (CAPFs) have been deployed in the state. Seven of them are positioned in the state capital.
East Khasi Hills SP, Raghvendra Kumar MG said the security arrangements are well in place and the deployment has been done according to the vulnerability and criticality of the polling stations.
Apart from the CAPFs, a quick action CAPF team, sector and zonal officers and the officers in charge of police stations have been deployed for poll duty.
Reserve forces have also been kept in the district and sub-divisional headquarters to swing into action if any incident warrants.
Senior district officers in liaison with civil officers would be keeping a close watch on the exercise along with the Police Control room at Polo, election officials said. In addition, security personnel have been deployed for the strong rooms in Shillong and in Sohra.
A separate traffic plan for the city has also been drawn in connection with Monday’s polling.
A large number of the candidates are expected to cast their votes in the first few hours of polling on Monday.
Opposition leader and TMC candidate Mukul Sangma will cast his vote in Ampati; BJP candidate from Pynthorumkhrah, AL Hek will cast his vote at Gandhi Buniyadi School polling station at 7 am; BJP candidate from North Shillong, Mariahom Kharkrang will also cast his vote at 7 am at Riatsamthiah Dorbar Hall polling station while his opponent and NPP candidate Ransom Sutnga will cast his vote at 7 am at Mawkhar.
NPP candidate from West Shillong, Mohendro Rapsang said he will cast his vote at around 8 am at Government Boy’s School polling station while his opponent and UDP candidate Paul Lyngdoh will cast his vote at Lumkshaid Community Hall polling station.
Most of the party office bore a deserted look on the eve of polling on Sunday.
The party offices of the UDP, NPP, Congress and TMC were found to be under lock and key. The BJP office was open but no party leader was present.
