Shillong, Nov 5: The state government on Thursday reviewed preparedness for upcoming bye-election to Shillong Lok Sabha seat.
The chaired by Chief Secretary Shakil P Ahammed focussed on basic facilities at the polling stations.
The state machinery is ready and only awaiting the Election Commission of India’s announcement for bye-election, Chief Electoral Officer Dr BDR Tiwari said after the meeting.
He said the meeting was held to ensure that assured minimum facilities are in place much before polling.
The meeting focussed on fulfilling gaps in respect of facilities, as well as to cover the network through the DoT and telecom service providers, he said.
Departments dealing with drinking water, toilets, furniture, ramps, education, rural development, PHE and power supply attended the meeting.
The Chief Secretary directed them to prioritise polling station works, including temporary power connections through MePDCL.
“It is a meeting on the assured minimum facility at polling stations. The Chief Secretary has chaired the meeting and given instructions to all concerned to take up all these to set the polling stations on a priority basis,” Tiwari said.
On the poll schedule, Tiwari said the Commission will notify the dates for filing of nominations, withdrawal, campaign and counting.
On manpower, he said, “We have already assessed that. The prerequisite norms of polling stations are already in place. Manpower identification has already been done. A well-established system and procedure is there.”
