Section 144 CrPC
In view of the proposed 36-hours bandh called by the banned outfit, the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) to boycott the February 23 assembly elections from 6:00pm of February 22 to 6:00am of February 24, the District Election Officer, West Jaintia Hills has under section 144 CrPC issued an order prohibiting any person(s) from causing any obstructions to movement of people and vehicular traffic. Assembly of five or more persons at any public place for the purpose of causing obstruction to movement of people and vehicular traffic and carrying of arms and other lethal weapons with exception of the security forces is also restricted. This order will come into force with immediate effect till 6:00am of February 24.
The district magistrate of East Khasi Hills has also promulgated an order under section 144 CrPC.
Dry days
The District Magistrate of East Jaintia Hills District has declared February 21, 22, 23 and 28 as Dry days in view of the upcoming Poll due on February 23 and counting of votes on February 28. All Licensed premises (Wholesalers and Retailers) Bars, Canteens and Country spirit shops, shall remain closed on the above mentioned dates. The DC (Excise) South WKH has also declared dry day on February 21 and 28.
Holiday
The principal secretary to the State Government, general administration (A) department has informed that all state government, semi-government offices, educational institutions and undertaking and those government establishments, etc governed by the NI Act shall remain closed on February 23 being the date of poll to enable every voters to exercise his/her franchise.
All women polling booths
There are as many as 374 all women polling stations out of the total 2485 polling centers in Meghalaya to facilitate them during polling. In many constituencies of Meghalaya, women voters outnumber men.
Pyrdiwah, Langpih calm
The internal and inter-state borders are calm and there were no reports of any law and order problem in Pyridwah which shares close border with Bangladesh and Langpih, an area of difference in West Khasi Hills. Pyrdiwah which falls under Pynusrla constituency in East Khasi Hills is calm as per reports reaching here. There are a total of 103 voters in this border village. Langpih, which witnessed violence falls under Rambrai Jyrngam in West Khasi Hills has a maximum of 1532 voters, a deciding factor for the win of the contesting candidates.
Rush of ambulances
This is the time when the candidates go all out to reach out to the voters to address their various grievances. A case in point was the death of a voter in one of the urban constituencies recently. The ambulances of as many as three candidates rushed to carry the body to the cremation ground. While one ambulance carried the body, the other took the relatives to the cremation ground.
