SHILLONG, Jan 19: At least 34 assembly constituencies in Meghalaya have been identified as “expenditure sensitive” and strict monitoring will be observed in those segments, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) FR Kharkongor said on Thursday.
While he could not provide the names of the constituencies, Kharkongor said the list includes some high profile constituencies and pockets of Shillong Urban and Greater Shillong agglomeration, the twin districts of Jaintia Hills, pockets of Tura Urban, the coal belt areas of West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, West Garo Hills and certain constituencies where political heavyweights are contesting.
“We have received reports that in at least 34 assembly constituencies across the state, the use of money is very high, and security personnel would be deployed and the model code of conduct would be enforced strictly,” Kharkongor said.
He said 747 polling booths are “vulnerable” and 399 polling booths have been identified as “critical” for various reasons.
The Election Commission has directed strict monitoring of the situation and general, expenditure and police observers would be deployed to curb the violation of the Model Code of Conduct across the state.
The CEO informed that as many as 120 companies of central armed police force would be deployed in the February 27 Assembly elections.
At present, 40 companies of CAPF are already in the state, he said, adding that a close watch is being kept on trouble mongers and history-sheeters ahead of the polls.
“A list of the trouble mongers has already been compiled. These history-sheeters and known miscreants have already been identified at the micro level. They will be bound under section 107, if they misbehave or cause any tension among the electorate,” he stated. (PTI)
