Shillong, November 5: The Meghalaya government has reviewed preparations for the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha bye-election, with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Dr B.D.R. Tiwari stating that the state machinery is fully prepared to conduct the polls whenever the Election Commission of India (ECI) announces the schedule. A high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Dr Shakil P. Ahammed on Thursday focused on ensuring the availability of essential facilities at polling stations across the parliamentary constituency.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Tiwari said the government was taking necessary steps to address infrastructure gaps well ahead of the election. “As per the requirement, we are ready for the conduct of the bye-election as and when announced by the Election Commission of India,” he said.
The CEO explained that the meeting primarily focused on ensuring that all polling stations are equipped with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF), including drinking water, toilets, furniture, ramps, electricity and adequate telecommunications connectivity. “At least the assured minimum facilities at the polling stations have to be maintained and assured well in advance,” Tiwari said.
He informed that the Chief Secretary had directed the concerned departments to identify and address any shortcomings in polling station infrastructure, while coordinating with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and telecom service providers to improve network coverage. “We had a meeting at the level of the Chief Secretary with the concerned line officials wherever the gap is, so that they can start their part to fulfil these gaps in respect of the facilities, as well as to cover the network through the DoT and telecom service providers,” he said.
Officials from departments responsible for education, rural development, Public Health Engineering (PHE), power supply and other essential services attended the meeting. The Chief Secretary instructed the departments to prioritise works relating to polling stations, including arranging temporary electricity connections through the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL), wherever necessary. “It is a meeting on the assured minimum facility at polling stations. The Chief Secretary has chaired the meeting and given instructions to all concerned to take up all these to set the polling stations on a priority basis,” Tiwari said.
Regarding the date of the bye-election, the CEO clarified that the decision rests entirely with the Election Commission of India. “It will depend on them, so we can’t comment on that. Everything is ready. Whenever the Commission decides, we will go ahead,” he said.
Explaining the election timeline, Tiwari said there is no fixed period of 30 or 45 days for conducting a bye-election, although such elections are generally held within six months of a parliamentary seat becoming vacant. “Once the vacancy arises, normally it would be held within six months of the vacancy arising, but if there are situations and other technicalities, they may take further time,” he explained.
He added that the Election Commission would announce the complete election schedule, including the dates for filing nominations, withdrawal of candidature, campaigning, polling and counting of votes. “Normally, they give the requisite time for filing nomination and then there will be a campaign period. Everything will be as per schedule, including counting,” he said.
On the availability of election personnel, Tiwari confirmed that manpower requirements had already been assessed and the necessary identification process completed. “We have already assessed that. The prerequisite norms of polling stations are already in place. Manpower identification has already been done. A well-established system and procedure is there,” he said.
The CEO reiterated that Meghalaya is administratively prepared for the bye-election and is awaiting the Election Commission’s formal announcement before proceeding with the electoral process.
