EC officers brave difficult terrain, trek for hours to reach polling stations in Meghalaya

Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], February 27 (ANI): In line with the motto of 'no voter to be left behind', the poll officers in Meghalaya braved harsh conditions, and trekked difficult terrains to reach their respective polling stations.
The team of the Election Commission drove through shallow rivers and treaded through root bridges to reach the polling stations in the far-flung areas.

#Meghalaya polling parties trekking difficult terrains , crossing rivers and traversing across the double decker living root bridge towards their polling station with the objective of leaving no voter to be left behind.#ECI #AssemblyElections2023 #MeghalayaElections2023 pic.twitter.com/mVNDcjkTWi

— Election Commission of India #SVEEP (@ECISVEEP) February 26, 2023

"Meghalaya polling parties leaving no voter behind,trekking up & down 6000 steps & traversing across the double decker living root bridge in Nongriat, Sohra towards their polling station," Election Commission said in a tweet.
According to EC, the polling teams trekked difficult terrains for hours, sailed to Kamsing polling station with only 35 voters. They used traditional Khasi baskets to carry polling materials to ensure no voter is left behind.
A team of the State Forest Department's Wildlife Division has been deployed at Nongnah, a common track of elephants, to ensure safe movement of polling officials in the South West Khasi Hills area in Meghalaya.
The countdown has begun for the Meghalaya Assembly polls, which will see over 21 lakh electorates will decide the fate of 369 candidates today.
Polling will be held at 3,419 polling stations across 59 Assembly constituencies in the state. The voting will begin at 7 am and continue till 4 pm.
The campaigning for Meghalaya polls ended on Saturday.
Of the 60 Assembly constituencies in Meghalaya, 36 fall in Khasi, Jaintia Hills region while 24 are in Garo Hills region.
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.
There are over 21 lakh (21,75,236) registered and eligible voters this year of which 10.99 lakh are women and 10.68 lakh are men. In Meghalaya, the women voters number more than their male counterparts. There are about 81,000 first-time voters in the state.
As many as 369 candidates are in the fray of which 36 are women. Of the total candidates, 44 are contesting as Independents.
The current term of the 60-seat Meghalaya Legislative Assembly will conclude on March 15.
The majority mark to form government in the state is 31.
In the 2018 Assembly polls, the ruling National People's Party (NPP) got 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 single largest party, the government was formed by the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) with support of the UDP, BJP and other regional parties.
This time, the BJP and NPP have not stitched any prepoll alliance and are going solo. BJP and Congress have fielded candidates in all the seats. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), which became the main opposition party in Meghalaya in 2021 following the defection of 12 Congress MLAs, became a formidable force, especially after former chief minister Mukul Sangma joined its ranks. TMC fielded candidates in 58 seats.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma is contesting from South Tura constituency while the BJP fielded Bernard N Marak against the NPP chief. In Dadenggre, Congress candidate Chesterfield Sangma is contesting against NPP's James Sangma.
Former CM Mukul Sangma is contesting from two seats -- Tikrikilla and Songsak on Trinamool's ticket. UDP leader 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 leader Lahkmen Rymbui is contesting from Amlarem. In Sutnga Saipung, Congress fielded Vincent H Pala. UDP candidate Kyrmen Shylla is contesting from Khliehriat.
From NPP to BJP and Congress to Trinamool, parties showcased all might when it comes to campaigning. Be it poll promises or attacking contending forces with slogans, none remained on the back foot.
The Election Commission has deployed 119 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Meghalaya.
Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya FR Kharkongor said 640 polling stations are identified as 'vulnerable', 323 are 'critical' and 84 are identified as both.
Election Commission on Saturday ordered the sealing of Meghalaya's International border with Bangladesh till March 2.
Meghalaya has shared a 443 km border with Bangladesh and 885 km with Assam.
Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya FR Kharkongor, told ANI that Meghalaya's international 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 said.
Meanwhile, the district magistrate of East Khasi Hills district on Friday issued an order that movement of individuals will remain strictly prohibited within 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 also imposed Section 144 of CrPC along the bordering areas.
To ensure a free and fair 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 will be done on March 2. (ANI)