Shillong, Nov 9 : Meghalaya government called off the proposed first municipal elections in the state after the election authorities were compelled to postpone the polls twice in two months since September in the wake of large scale protests.
"There were a number of disturbing incidents that had led to the postponement of the polls twice since September. There was a strong possibility of disruption of the polling process as well as serious implication on the law and order," Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said after a cabinet meeting.
While the election process has been called off, the municipal affairs department has been asked to examine and take a call on the issue as to when the government can set in motion the process, he said.
Sangma said the government has also decided to file cases in the court against the Joint Action Committee to recover the losses suffered by the public and government during their series of agitation against the polls.
The JAC, a conglomerate of several organisations, had called for a three-day bandh in the three districts of Garo hills where the proposed polls were slated for October 29 last.
The JAC is apprehensive about holding the municipal elections because it "would be violating Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and lead to erosion of powers of the traditional bodies like Council of Nokma (Village Council)."
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