Shillong, Feb 14: The Election Commission (EC) machineries in Meghalaya have stepped up their actions against misuse of money ahead of assembly elections. The total seizure as on February 9, 2023 was Rs 51.27 crore, chief electoral officer FR Kharkongor told reporters on Tuesday.
Of this, Rs 6 crore was in cash and Rs 23 crore plus is from drugs and narcotic seizure and the remaining amount is from other categories, he said.
Asked on the law and order situation in the state, Kharkongor said that Meghalaya has always been a peaceful state when it comes to the conduct of elections.
“Even at the height of militancy way back in 2008-2013, elections were conducted peacefully and if there is any incident of violence, it is more of an aberration, it is not the usual norm. So we hope and we anticipate, barring a few isolated incidents, that the polling will be conducted peacefully, free and fair,” he said.
Stating that the Election Commission has allotted adequate companies of paramilitary forces this time for Meghalaya, Kharkongor said, “They have earmarked 119 companies of which 40 companies are already here. In fact, usually companies arrive just close to the poll day but now we have already received 40 companies way ahead.”
Apart from that, he said after Tripura polls, the state will be getting another 79 companies and the deployment plan has already been prepared by the police.
“We have already had a meeting with the police team and as per requirement these will be deployed in both Khasi-Jaintia Hills regions as well as in the Garo Hills region,” he informed.
