Complaint against Meghalaya DGP: We’re looking into the matter, says CEC

After the demand of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to remove the Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) SB Singh, alleging that he has been campaigning for Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday said the matter is being looked into and necessary steps would be taken if he is found guilty.
It may be mentioned that a BJP team called on the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in New Delhi on Thursday and lodged a complaint demanding Meghalaya DGP Singh’s removal from the top post for allegedly campaigning for Chief Minister Sangma.
The BJP delegation also suggested the CEC to make special arrangement to ensure free and fair elections in the constituencies of Chief Minister Sangma.
Congress strongman Mukul Sangma is in the fray from Ampati constituency in South West Garo Hills district as well Songsak constituency in East Garo Hills district for the Assembly polls.
Meghalaya is going to Assembly polls on February 27.
CEC OP Rawat while talking to the media confirmed that BJP has lodged a complaint and said that they are gathering facts over the allegation.
He also informed till now, they have received information about NPP’s withdrawal of its complaint.
However, he said that so far regarding the BJP’s complaint that the “Congress is using officials” they have “not received anything”, but the “process is on”. “The Commission will take necessary action” if anyone is found guilty, CEC OP Rawat said.
Regarding poll-preparedness in the poll-bound States of the Northeast – Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland –CEC Rawat said that the Election Commission has taken adequate measures to ensure free and fair elections in all the three Northeastern States which have their own peculiarities.
Rawat also said to prevent use of cash and other illegal activities to woo voters, GPS has been brought in so that the flying squads can move in the right direction following any complaint.
On preparedness in militancy-hit Garo Hills region, Rawat said that some parties have raised the issue, but close monitoring has already been initiated so that no untoward incident takes place during elections.
Rawat informed that there are a total of 3083 polling stations (3082 main and one auxiliary).
Informing that voters’ assistance booths will be set up at all polling stations, Rawat added, “The total electorate is 18,44,785 out of which 18,42,163 are general and 2621 are service electors. Out of the general electors, 9,12,849 are male while 9,29,314 are female.” On the other hand, the number of first time voters is 89,045.
Rawat further informed that VVPATs will be used in all the 3083 polling stations. As per the Election Commission’s directive, one polling station in each constituency would be randomly selected and VVPAT slips of this polling station would be counted and matched with the results of the EVMs.
He further stated that till February 13, 20,934.66 litres of illegal liquors and Rs 17,25,000 in cash have been seized so far.
CEC Rawat also added that in all the 60 Assembly constituencies one all-women managed polling station would be set up.
There will be a unique identity with a maroon coloured sign board/ banner and a total of 67 all-women managed polling stations would be set up across the State, he added.