Shillong (Meghalaya): The countdown has begun for the Meghalaya Assembly polls, which is able to see over 21 lakh electorates will resolve the destiny of 369 candidates on Monday. Polling might be held at 3,419 polling stations throughout 59 Assembly constituencies within the state. The voting will start at 7 am and proceed until 4 pm, on Monday.
Of the 60 Assembly constituencies in Meghalaya, 36 fall in Khasi, Jaintia Hills area whereas 24 are in Garo Hills area. However, polling for the Sohiong Assembly constituency was postponed following the demise of the state’s former Home minister and United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate from the seat, HDR Lyngdoh.
In Meghalaya, girls voters outnumber males
There are over 21 lakh (21,75,236) registered and eligible voters this yr of which 10.99 lakh are girls and 10.68 lakh are males. In Meghalaya, the ladies voters quantity greater than their male counterparts. There are about 81,000 first-time voters within the state. As many as 369 candidates are within the fray of which 36 are girls. Of the whole candidates, 44 are contesting as Independents.
The case towards NPP: Lack of infrastructure, corruption
The ruling National People’s Party (NPP), which is in search of to return to energy, may need to take care of the anti-incumbency issue this time. The lack of infrastructure improvement in distant and hilly areas stays one of many core ballot points this time. Further, allegations of corruption are additionally haunting the NPP authorities.
Illegal coal mining, unemployment
Another issue which may have a bearing on the end result of this yr’s polls is against the law coal mining in Jaintia and Khasi Hills. When it comes to key ballot points, unemployment is a pet grouse and demand of the youth. All the events promised jobs and the creation of election alternatives of their manifesto.
Issue of Inner Line Permit for Meghalaya
NPP attacked the BJP with the lengthy-pending problem of demanding an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Meghalaya. An Inner Line Permit is an official journey doc issued by a state authorities to permit inward journey of a nation right into a protected space for a restricted time. Another essential within the Meghalaya polls is the Christian and Non-Christian, particularly within the Khasi Hills area. Meghalaya BJP chief Ernest Mawrie on Friday stated if BJP comes to energy within the ballot-sure state, they’d not impose any restrictions on the individuals consuming beef.
Ernest Mawrie instructed ANI that Meghalaya is a Christian-majority state and if BJP comes to energy, it will present extra safety to the Christians.
No restriction on consuming beef: State BJP chief Ernest Mawrie
“We will not impose any restriction on consuming beef in Meghalaya. If we will form the government, then it will be better for Meghalaya. We will give full protection to the Christians of Meghalaya. Eating habit is our culture, BJP will not impose any restrictions on them. Many of us eat pork, beef, chicken, and fish. There is no problem with our party. We have not held any discussions on this. There will be no restriction,” Mawrie stated.
Meghalaya: Majority mark 31 within the 60-seat meeting
The present time period of the 60-seat Meghalaya Legislative Assembly will conclude on March 15. The majority mark to type authorities within the state is 31. In the 2018 Assembly polls, the ruling National People`s Party (NPP) received 19 seats, Congress bagged 21 seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to win two seats.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) grabbed six seats. Though Congress emerged as the only largest occasion, the federal government was fashioned by the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) with the help of the UDP, BJP, and different regional events.
Going solo: No alliance between BJP and NPPÂ
This time, the BJP and NPP haven’t stitched any prepoll alliance and are going solo. BJP and Congress have fielded candidates in all of the seats. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), which turned the principle opposition occasion in Meghalaya in 2021 following the defection of 12 Congress MLAs, turned a formidable pressure, particularly after former chief minister Mukul Sangma joined its ranks. TMC fielded candidates in 58 seats.
Key constituencies, candidates
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma is contesting from the South Tura constituency whereas the BJP fielded Bernard N Marak towards the NPP chief. In Dadenggre, Congress candidate Chesterfield Sangma is contesting towards NPP`s James Sangma. Former CM Mukul Sangma is contesting from two seats — Tikrikilla and Songsak on Trinamool`s ticket. UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh is contesting from Mairang. Further, NPP pitted Prestone Tynsong from Pynursla. UDP candidate Titosstar Well Chyne is contesting from Sohra. The TMC has fielded Charles Pyngrope from Nongthymmai.
BJP fielded Sanbor Shullai in South Shillong and Ernest Mawrie in West Shillong. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh is the NPP`s candidate from East Shillong. In Pynthorumkhrah, BJP fielded Alexander Laloo Hek. UDP chief Lahkmen Rymbui is contesting from Amlarem. In Sutnga Saipung, Congress fielded Vincent H Pala. UDP candidate Kyrmen Shylla is contesting from Khliehriat. The campaigning for Meghalaya polls ended on Saturday.
High-voltage campaigning by NPP, BJP, Congress, and TMC this yr
From NPP to BJP and Congress to Trinamool, events showcased all may when it comes to campaigning. Be it ballot guarantees or attacking contending forces with slogans, none remained on the again foot. BJP confirmed its energy with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, occasion president JP Nadda and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma holding rallies. PM Modi additionally held a roadshow in Shillong on Friday.
Meghalaya noticed PM Modi’s roadshow, Rahul Gandhi’s rally, Mamata Banerjee’s conferences
Rahul Gandhi, who was lacking from the marketing campaign scene in Tripura, held a rally in Shillong. Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee held public conferences in Meghalaya. TMC MP Mahua Moitra additionally ran campaigning for the occasion within the state. The Election Commission has deployed 119 corporations of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Meghalaya. Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya FR Kharkongor stated 640 polling stations are recognized as `weak`, 323 are `crucial` and 84 are recognized as each. Election Commission on Saturday ordered the sealing of Meghalaya`s International border with Bangladesh until March 2.
Security measures forward of polling
Meghalaya has shared a 443 km border with Bangladesh and 885 km with Assam. Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya FR Kharkongor, instructed ANI that Meghalaya`s worldwide border with Myanmar and the state border with Assam have been sealed.”We have taken preventive measures to ensure a free and fair election in the State. Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed along the international bordering areas in the state,” Kharkongor stated.
Meanwhile, the district Justice of the Peace of East Khasi Hills district on Friday issued an order that motion of people will stay strictly prohibited inside a one km radius of the India-Bangladesh border of East Khasi Hills district between February 24 and March 2.
The district administration of East Khasi Hills district has additionally imposed Section 144 of CrPC alongside the bordering areas. To guarantee a free and honest election, Election Commission has banned exit polls in Meghalaya from 7 am on Friday to 7 pm on the polling day ie February 27. The counting of votes might be carried out on March 2.
