Meghalaya sets stage for vote counting; DC appeals for intact law and order

Newmai News Network

Shillong: The stage is set for counting of votes in Shillong and Tura parliamentary constituencies with authorities making multi-layer security arrangements at 12 counting centers set up across Meghalaya.

There will be 8 counting centres for Shillong parliamentary constituency and 5 Tura parliamentary constituency.

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A total of 18 counting observers have been deployed by the Election Commission of India.

After conducting an inspection to the counting centre at JN Stadium, Polo ahead of the crucial day, Chief Secretary DP Wahlang said that he is satisfied with the arrangements made for the counting of votes.

“After looking at all the processes adopted by the returning officer, I am sure that the counting will be conducted effectively tomorrow which will start at 8 am,” he told reporters.

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“Security measures are adequate. I just had a discussion with the SP of the district, adequate quantum of force has been graced here so we are satisfied with the arrangements,” the Chief Secretary added.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills and Returning Officer of Shillong parliamentary constituency SC Sadhu today reiterated that victory processions and rallies should not disturb law and order during the counting of votes.

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Speaking to reporters after an inspection to the counting centre in Shillong, Sadhu said all arrangements have been made to ensure that counting is done efficiently and in a transparent manner involving all political parties. For law and order, elaborate arrangements in terms of ensuring that no unauthorized persons enter the premises of the counting have been made

“Though, we have relaxed the provision of the initial order of 144 CrPC with respect to rallies and processions, all other provisions of that order are still intact in the premises that are still enforced to ensure no forces, no persons or groups disturbed the counting process,” he said.

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The DC said, “After issuing of the order, many stakeholders including political parties and some other NGOs and traditional heads, they have given their representations and approached us and appealed to us to relax the provision on rallies and processions and after discussing with all of them, we thought that we will relax to that extent and at the same time, we appeal to them to ensure that processions and rallies should not turn out to be some law and order disturbance.”

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