Four companies each of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) would be deployed in Ranikor and South Tura constituencies for the by-polls slated for August 23 in Meghalaya.
However compared to South Tura constituency which is an urban area, the challenge is more in Ranikor constituency, especially during this rainy season considering that it is a hilly terrain area, with a large number of unconnected villages.
“Eight companies of CAPF, four companies for one constituency is a well provided for,” Chief Electoral Officer, Frederick Roy Kharkongor said on Saturday.
Besides State Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma who is seeking his election as member of the tenth Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, opposition Congress candidate, Charlotte W Momin, and two Independent candidates which include former South Tura MLA, John Leslee K Sangma and Chris Kabul are contesting the by-election from South Tura constituency.
Conrad, who is still the Lok Sabha MP from Tura, is the NPP candidate, who should be elected as MLA in order to continue as Chief Minister.
In Ranikor constituency too, four candidates are in the fray, which include former Ranikor MLA, Martin M Danggo who is the candidate of the NPP, Pius Marweiñ of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Jackiush Sangma of the opposition Congress, and former Mawsynram legislator, P N Syiem who is the candidate of the People’s Democratic Front.
“We are fully prepared to conduct the by-polls,” Kharkongor further said.
Kharkongor had visited Ranikor constituency few days back to take stock of the situation, especially challenges that polling officials might face during the conduct of the by-polls and take remedial measures.
Kharkoror said that one sector officer will look after one polling booth and the State Police Department was instructed to equip sector officers with VHF sets in areas where mobile connectivity is not available.
He said that for Ranikor, 10 zones and 25 sectors have been formed to take care of the remote areas and ensure the smooth conduct of the by-poll.
Ranikor has 65 polling booths. Kharkongor said that for 34 polling booths locating in remote areas, the polling parties would move two days prior to the voting, while in the rest 31 polling booths, they would move one day prior to the voting.
He said that web casting would be undertaken in some polling stations where connectivity is available.
On South Tura, Kharkongor said that he did not foresee any problem and not that challenging like Ranikor being an urban area.