31 held in poll bound Meghalaya for pre-election violence

In the poll bound Meghalaya, 399 polling stations have been deemed ‘critical,’ while 747 have been identified as ‘vulnerable.’

New Delhi, Feb 10: The Meghalaya police on Thursday arrested at least 31 supporters of the National People's Party and opposition TMC in the West Garo Hills for allegedly taking part in pre-election violence.

A police officer said that the people who have been arrested are part of a gang that caused a disturbance on Thursday nigh at the Charbatapara village, 46 Phubari.

News agency PTI quoting SP Vivekanand Singh said said, " we have arrested 31 people: 16 supporter of TMC and 15 NPP workers.

According to Chief Electoral Officer, F R Kharkongor said that 399 polling stations have been deemed 'critical,' while 747 have been identified as 'vulnerable.'

He also added that 119 companies of central forces will be deployed for the assembly. Elections.

The elections to the 60 member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly will take place on February 27 2023, while the votes will be counted on March 2. Nominations have been submitted by 379 candidates, including 60 sitting MLAs. Kharkongor said that 37 women had also submitted their nominations for the elections.

Meanwhile the show-cause notices have been issued to the National People's Party and United Democratic Party by the Election Commission. The notices were issued after it was alleged that their candidates in West Shillong constituency distributed press cookers and bowl sets to voters which is in violation of the model code of conduct.

The 2019 Meghalaya elections were held on February 27. The polls were held in a single phase and the results were declared in March.

In the 2019 elections, the then ruling Congress party faced a stiff challenge from the BJP and regional parties. However no single party was able to secure a majority in the elections, resulting in a hung assembly.

The NPP won 19 seats formed the government in an alliance with the BJP and other regional parties. Conrad Sangma was sworn in as the chief minister of Meghalaya.

The outcome of the 2019 elections marked a shift in the political landscape of the state and also underlined the growing influence of the BJP in the region.