Election expense’s monitoring observers’ arrive

SHILLONG, JAN 30: Most of the thirteen expenditure observers dispatched by the Election Commission of India (ECI) arrived in Shillong Wednesday even as ten companies of paramilitary forces are arriving on Thursday for the February 23 Meghalaya assembly elections.

Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P Naik told reporters that most of the thirteen expenditure observers have arrived and about twenty general observers would be arriving after scrutiny of papers on February 7.

Naik informed that the election observers deputed by the ECI will be stationed in the different districts of the state.

Naik said the observers will be deputed in the various districts of the state to cover all assembly constituencies till the electioneering process is over.

With regard to security forces required for the conduct of assembly elections peacefully, the Meghalaya government had asked for 76 companies to be deployed in the state to ensure a free and fair assembly polls especially in the militant infested areas of Garo hills region and those areas considered as “sensitive”.

“About 10 companies of paramilitary forces are scheduled to arrive by tomorrow,” Niak said. Hoping that Meghalaya will get all 76 companies, he said that the centre will be deploying the paramilitary forces in a phase manner.

Meanwhile, the CEO informed that the Election department will convened a meeting with all political parties in the state to discuss on issues pertaining to expenditures and other issues during the upcoming election.

The meeting will be held on Thursday in Shillong, Naik informed.- By Our Reporter