The election to the Sohiong seat is on Wednesday. Chief electoral officer FR Kharkongor on Tuesday informed that the preparation for the adjourned election in Sohiong constituency is on track. .
Speaking to reporters, Kharkongor said, “In terms of the general preparation, everything is on track. All polling parties have arrived in their respective polling stations without any hiccups and they are all geared up for the polling tomorrow.”
He said polling will start from 7 am to 4 pm.
There are 34,783 voters of which 17,096 are males and 17687 are females.
He informed that about 154 plus senior citizens, who are 80 years old and above and 54 persons with disabilities have already casted their votes from their respective homes.
The CEO said that no report was received against violation during the silence period which started yesterday.
Five companies of CAPF have been deployed for the Sohiong poll.
All women flying squads have also been activated in the constituency for the first time besides all women polling station, youth managed polling stations.
In the model polling station at Nongpathaw, Kharkongor said for the first time, the voters will be planting tree saplings.
“Saplings have been arranged to have a sort of a better connect to engage the voters to symbolically plant the seed of democracy because we do these special activities in these model polling stations. This is one additional item which is being done this time,” he said
The CEO said historically, Sohiong has always voted 90% and above adding “We hope this time also the voting percentage will touch 90% and above. We are keeping our fingers crossed and if the weather holds good then Sohiong will again maintain that voting percentage of 90% plus.”
Stating that there has been no major report on violation against the model code of conduct, Kharkongor however said one complaint was received against an alleged hate speech and that the district election officer has already taken cognizance and notice was also issued adding appropriate action was also taken in this regard.
Meanwhile, the CEO further said that preparations for the counting are also on track. The counting will be held at the State Central Library on May 13.
“All arrangements have been made. Three tier system as per ECI protocols that is being maintained and also some extra security measures will also be in place to ensure there is crowd control and there is no post poll violence hopefully and that all preparation will be on track and without any disruption,” he said.