SHILLONG: 10 May 2023 (PTI Source)
The by-election for Sohiong assembly constituency in Meghalaya is all set to be conducted on Wednesday with all necessary arrangements in place, according to officials. The polling is scheduled to begin at 7 am and will continue till 4 pm in 3,328 polling booths, with 1,100 booths identified as sensitive and 28 booths as critical. The Chief Electoral Officer, F R Kharkongor, informed that more than 34,000 voters are eligible to cast their votes, out of which over 16,000 are men. The election will be held across 63 polling stations, manned by over 300 polling officials.
The by-election has been called following the unfortunate demise of UDP candidate HDR Lyngdoh, which took place just ahead of the assembly elections held in the state on February 27. As per the official notification, six candidates, all men, are contesting the election.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, all necessary precautions have been taken to ensure a safe voting environment for the people, according to the Chief Electoral Officer. This includes compulsory wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing norms, and other COVID-19 protocols.
The election authorities have also deployed adequate security measures to ensure that the polling is conducted in a peaceful and fair manner. Over 20 companies of central armed police forces, besides Meghalaya police, have been deployed for the same. The votes will be counted on May 13, with the results being closely watched by the political parties, as it could give a glimpse of the political equations in the state, ahead of the crucial assembly polls slated for next year.