Assam has assured the Election Commission of India (ECI) to cooperate with Meghalaya in as far as conducting a free, fair and peaceful Meghalaya polls in 19 Assembly seats along the inter-state boundary.
The assurance came during a discussion between the full bench of the Election Commission via video conference with Chief Secretaries of Meghalaya and Assam and other officials on Friday.
Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), F R Kharkongor said that issues related to coordination, law and order and security measures were discussed with the ECI.
Kharongor said that officials of both the states agreed to work together to ensure peaceful and smooth conduct of Assembly polls in constituencies along the Meghalaya-Assam border.
Kharkongor said Meghalaya has 19 Assembly constituencies bordering Assam and there are 177 polling booths along the inter-state boundary where 103 polling parties have to move by passing through areas in Assam.
North Garo Hills district with 67 polling stations, Ri-Bhoi district 43 polling stations and West Khasi Hills district have 22 polling stations that share the boundary with Assam.
He also said that the Assam government has also agreed to declare dry days in districts bordering Meghalaya on the polling and counting days.
Meghalaya will go to polls in 59 out of 60 seats on February 27 and counting of votes will take place on March 3 next.
