Meghalaya govt seeks 30 companies of paramilitary forces for council polls

PTI
Shillong, January 21

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Meghalaya government today said that it has sought for 30 companies of additional paramilitary forces for the smooth conduct of the district council elections in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) slated on February 24.“We have submitted our proposal for another 30 companies of additional paramilitary forces for the smooth conduct of the district council elections in the areas of the two Autonomous District Councils of the state,” Commissioner and Secretary in-charge of political department Jopthiaw Lyngdoh told reporters at a news conference held here.
According to him, there are 25 existing companies deputed by the Centre in the state, out of which 15 are exclusively for militancy infested Garo Hills region.
He further informed that the model code of conduct will come to effect from the date of notification of election on February 5.
“The model code of conduct restricts the implementation of the MDC schemes and also MLA schemes in case where sitting legislators are contesting the elections besides the use of numbers of vehicles and loud speakers for campaigning,” he said.
On being asked, he said, “Candidates are allowed to spend a ceiling of Rs 2.50 lakh each during the elections,” adding “the authorities will also check into the accounts of candidates to ensure there is no over spending on their side.”
Regarding the appointment of election observers, Lyngdoh said that the matter will be taken up in the next round of the review meeting with the deputy commissioners.
He further informed, it is only after the publication of the final electoral rolls that the numbers of constituencies and numbers of electorate will also be known.
Stating that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used during the elections, the commissioner and secretary informed that the state government has procured over 417 EVMs and have ordered for another 1925 EVMs for the conduct of elections to the two ADCs.
He further informed that total expenditure for the conduct of the elections in the two ADCs is estimated at Rs 9.6 crore.