Shillong: District authorities have been directed to begin preliminary preparations for the Shillong Lok Sabha by-election, although the Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to announce the polling schedule.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal said Chief Electoral Officer Dr B.D.R. Tiwari met Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police from the Shillong Parliamentary Constituency on Friday and directed them to initiate the necessary groundwork.
The meeting followed the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and publication of the final electoral roll, enabling the administration to begin preparations for the by-election.
Baranwal said the immediate task was to assess the resources required, including vehicles, personnel for election duties and infrastructure across the constituency.
However, he said the administration had not received any indication of the polling date, which will be decided by the ECI.
Asked whether the by-election could coincide with the festive season or examination schedules, Baranwal said he could not comment, adding that the Election Commission would consider these factors while finalising the dates.
He said the exercise was aimed at ensuring that district administrations were ready to mobilise resources once the poll notification was issued.
Baranwal clarified that the ongoing exercise was purely preparatory and did not mark the beginning of the formal election process.
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