Miscreants destroy EVMs in Umladang, polling halted
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Shillong, February 24 2014 :
Miscreants barged and destroyed the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in one of the polling stations under the Nartiang constituency in West Jaintia Hills district forcing the authority to stop the polling.
Elections of the Autonomous District Council (ADC) was held today.
Polling in the Umladang polling station is likely to be held on Wednesday.
The incident took place at around 11.30 am when unidentified miscreants entered the Umladang polling station and destroyed the EVMs forcing the authority to stop the voting process.
Meghalaya District Council Affairs Commissioner & Secretary, Jopthiaw Lyngdoh, said that the incident has vitiated the atmosphere forcing the authority to stop the polling in this particular polling station falling under the 3 � Nartiang Constituency.
Lyngdoh informed that the police are trying to locate the miscreants who entered the polling stations and destroyed the EVM.
He said, "The police are trying to ascertain to which candidate the supporters belonged and the identity of those who destroyed the EVM" .
He added that the West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, who is also the Returning Officer, will submit a report on the incident and accordingly the date for re-poll will be decided.
West Jaintia hills SP, Herbert G.Lyngdoh informed that the "mob" who had entered the polling station is not from the Umladang village but had come from outside.
He said police have not been able to identify the miscreants till now but are investigating into the whole affairs to identify the miscreants.
Meanwhile, West Jaintia hills Deputy Commissioner Peter Dkhar informed that he would be recommending of holding a re-poll in the Umladang polling station on Wednesday.
In a separate incident, a polling official of Wahlynkhat polling station under Pynursla in East Khasi Hills District was arrested for dereliction of duty.
Confirming this, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal said the officer was arrested after he was found drunk while performing duty.
He said that the officer was also taken for medical checkup.
Necessary action as per rule will be taken against the Presiding Officer for dereliction of duty, Goyal informed adding that he has also sent magistrates to the place to ensure that Election is not interrupted.
He further informed that he has deputed an officer to take charge of the Polling Station as a replacement.