NONGPOH, June 4: The counting of votes in Ri-Bhoi district on Tuesday was not as lively as it was in Shillong as supporters of various political parties, including those of the Voice of the People Party, who won the Shillong parliamentary constituency, were not seen near the Counting Hall at Nongpoh, except for a few leaders and election agents who were entrusted with the task of collecting round-wise Lok Sabha results.
The promulgation of Section 144 CrPC is perhaps one of the prime reasons that prevented supporters of various political parties from gathering as they usually did in the past when election results were announced, whether for assembly or parliamentary polls.
Another notable event of the day was that, for the first time, Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner, Arpit Upadhyaya, barred media persons from entering the counting hall.
When asked why media persons were not allowed inside, Upadhyaya informed that press members would only be allowed at the entrance of the counting hall.
Despite being informed that in the past, media persons were allowed inside, albeit without mobile phones, but with pen and paper to note down updates of the round-wise counting, the Deputy Commissioner remained adamant and replied, “Even then, not allowed.”
This action by the DC has irked and disappointed media persons, who had sat outside the counting hall from 8 am till 12 noon.
One of the media persons texted Upadhyaya, informing him of the media’s disappointment with this partial treatment.
Following this, the DC, a few minutes later, called back to inform that media persons were now allowed to enter.
