Shillong, Feb 20: The Assam government has assured of full cooperation to ensure free movement of polling parties along inter-state border areas during the autonomous district council (ADC) elections in Khasi and Janitia Hills.
Informing about his communication in this regard with his Assam counterpart, chief secretary DP Wahlang said, “We have given details about the various movements of polling parties and he has assured that there will be no hindrance at all.”
“Some of the polling parties have to move through Assam and full cooperation has been sought from Assam and he has assured that there will not be any problems at all,” he said.
On reports of candidates facing obstruction from Assam authorities in campaigning in disputed regions, he said the reason could be that no prior information was given to the local administration about the candidates’ movement in those areas.
“However, the movement of polling parties have already been shared with the Assam’s respective deputy commissioners, so we do not anticipate any problem at all,” he said.
Extra security measures have been adopted for vulnerable and critical polling stations and those along the border areas with Assam and Bangladesh, he said.
Meanwhile, the campaign for ADC elections by different political parties ended on Wednesday at 4 pm as polling parties started leaving to the respective polling stations.
“The polling parties are ready to leave and some of them have left today and majority around 80% will be leaving tomorrow,” said the chief secretary.
Expressing the hope for peaceful conduct of the polls, he said, “So far, there have been no hiccups and everything is going as plan.”
Wahlang, meanwhile, urged all the eligible voters to come out in large numbers on February 21 and vote for the candidates of their choice.
He also disclosed that there has been no seizure of cash and liquor during the electioneering even as the observers and police check posts were deployed to curb any unfair means.
Another factor is that most of the election campaigns by candidates are taking place through common platforms where campaign cost is less, he said.
He also said the government has encouraged the common platforms as they cause less disturbance in localities where there are exam-bound students.
