Shillong, Feb 21: Some cases of stray incidents were reported during the elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) held today. The percentages of voter turnout in both the ADCs were reported to be high. However, the precise report on the matter was yet to be known till the filing of this report.
Meanwhile, the District Council Affairs (DCA) department today ordered repoll in four polling stations under two constituencies in East Jaintia Hills district after an unidentified mob forcefully entered and damaged the electronic voting machines (EVMs).
The repoll will be held on Saturday from 7 am to 4 pm amid tight security arrangements.
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Meanwhile, the police today registered a case and started the investigation to nab those involved in the two incidents of vandalism and damage of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) in four polling stations under two constituencies in East Jaintia Hills district.
The incidents have led to the DCA ordering for repolling in the four polling stations – Wapung Skur A and Wapung Skur B under the Musniang-Rangad constituency and Bataw A and Bataw B under the Bataw-Lakadong constituency.
“We have registered a case and investigation in on,” district police chief Giri Prasad said.
He said so far, no arrest has been made.
Earlier, Director General (Eastern Range) Davis NR Marak, Deputy Commissioner S Awasthi and SP Giri Prasad rushed to Wapung village to conduct an inquiry into the incident.
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Additional deputy commissioner (ADC) and Returning Officer Jacquiline U Kharpuri told reporters that polling was going on peacefully today till 11.20 am until 11.35 am when information was received that a group of unidentified people had forcefully entered the Wapung Skur A polling station and committed acts of vandalism inside to the extent that they destroyed the EVM. Again at 11.37 am, it was informed that the same group had gone to the Wapung Skur B polling station and also destroyed the EVM. This has resulted in polling being forcefully halted in the two polling stations.
“None of the polling personnel could identify the people as they know whether they are from the village or that they come from other places,” she said.
SP Giri Prasad informed that additional forces have been deployed in the two polling stations to ensure law and order is maintained.
He said no injuries were reported during the incident. “A case has been registered and investigation is on to nab the people involved in the incident,” the SP stated.
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Announcing the decision of the department, Commissioner & Secretary in-charge DCA Cyril Diengdoh said, “The DCA has ordered a repoll in the four polling stations in the two JHADC constituencies in East Jaintia Hills district. The repoll will be held tomorrow from 7am to 4pm.”
The polling stations, which will go for repoll include Wapung Skur A and Wapung Skur B under Musniang-Rangad constituency and Bataw A and Bataw B under Bataw-Lakadong constituency. All four polling stations were identified as vulnerable/critical polling stations.
Diengdoh said the decision was taken after reports were received that an unidentified mob had forcefully entered the four polling stations and damaged the EVMs.
He said that the exact reason behind the mob attacking the polling stations will need further inquiry and report.
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“As of now because of damage to EVMs, the rules allow us to have a repoll as per rule 143 B. If there is violence and damage to EVMs, we have ordered repoll in the interest of free and fair election and repoll will happen tomorrow,” he stated.
Diengdoh said, “The security personnel were present but this was a group of mob so the mob has overwhelmed them and in fact the polling parties were also rushed to the nearest medical centre as they were also afraid etc. However, the district administration is taking due care and there is no report of injury to anyone. All our people are safe except that the EVMs were damaged.”
Further, the DCA official informed that the deputy commissioner and SP of the district have reviewed the preparation for conducting of repoll in the four polling stations.
“Steps have been taken by the district administration, the DC and SP. Additional forces have been deployed and ADMs will be deployed. DC will take all necessary steps to ensure adequate security personnel are deployed and new polling personnel are being sent to these polling stations so that confidence is built up and the appeal from the department is that people should be aware repoll is happening and everyone should come out and vote,” he said.
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If an FIR has been registered, Diengdoh said that the DC will take necessary action.
Meanwhile, the commissioner & secretary informed that the polling percentage in KHADC has been recorded at 60 percent and JHADC at 70 percent as of 3pm.
“This is cumulative for all constituencies. We are still compiling the overall poll percentage and it will be shared later in the evening,” he said.
He also informed, “In KHADC, the polling parties have left their polling stations and are on the way to the receiving stations. Some of them have also arrived at the receiving centres.”
“In all the districts of the KHADC, there was no report of incidents of violence or any issues. The poll was conducted peacefully in all the districts,” he added.
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(Newmai News Network)
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