In the past, election victory was something to be celebrated by both the winning candidate and supporters in Meghalaya.
However, this time the celebration will be subdued as far as East Khasi Hills District is concerned.
Nearly two weeks before the result day for the Lok Sabha election, the East Khasi Hills district administration has issued several restrictions to be imposed on June 4, the day when the poll results are announced.
In an order issued today, District Magistrate Sibhi C. Sadhu has prohibited taking out of victory procession or rally in the entire district.
“No victory procession/rallies by any candidate or political party after the declaration of result shall be permissible within East Khasi Hills District,” the order said.
The order imposed under Section 144 CrPC also laid out several restrictions within the area in and around the counting centres “in order to maintain peace, order and tranquility on the day of counting”.
East Khasi Hills has 17 Assembly constituencies falling under Shillong parliamentary constituency.
Votes for 15 constituencies will be counted at the counting centres in Polo Ground here whereas the votes for Sohra and Shella constituencies will be counted at the Sohra civil sub-division complex at Saitsohpen.
However, the order prohibited gatherings within a radius of one kilometer from the counting centres. It also prohibited procession or sloganeering within the premises of the counting centres in the district.
Carrying of sticks “with or without flags” is also banned in the area in and around the counting centres.
This means that supporters of any political party will not be allowed to come to the counting area with party flags tied on a stick.
