Security measures are being taken by the state election commissions in the Northeast to ensure fair polling.
Like the rest of the country, the northeastern states of India are also gearing up for the 16th Lok Sabha elections that will be held next month.
While preparations to conduct the polls in a peaceful manner are in full swing, people are looking forward to exercising their franchise with enthusiasm, as they seek peace and development in the region.
From April 7, people across the country will exercise their voting right to choose their representatives in the 16th general elections. Within nine polling days scheduled for the region, an expected 81.4 crore people will cast their votes in 543 parliamentary constituencies.
In the Northeast, state election commissions have started taking measures to ensure safe and fair polling.
While Arunachal Pradesh will go to polls on April 9, Assam will have the elections on April 7,12 and 24, Manipur on April 9 and 17, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram on April 9, Sikkim on April 12 and Tripura on 7th and 12th of April.
In Tripura, in all, there will be 3095 polling stations for the two constituencies in which around 24 lakhs electors will exercise their votes.
"The commission has assured adequate security. Like last time, central paramilitary force from outside will arrive for providing security to polling booth and strong room guarding. Along with paramilitary, forces of other states will be deployed and so there will be no worry about the security. There will be adequate security," said Ashutosh Jindal, Chief Election Commission, Tripura
Following the announcement of the polling dates, preparations have started with immediate effect in Manipur.
A 24 hour helpline has been opened by the state election commission. Any complaint of malpractice and any information regarding the elections can be sought from the number.
"We want free and fair elections. We want to support a candidate who will bring development in the region," said Rina Soibam, a student from Manipur.
In Assam, that will go to polls in three phases, people want their leaders to work for peace and development.
In the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency, development of roads, infrastructure, cleanliness and security will be the deciding parameters.
"We expect to get a good candidate as our MP in the coming elections, someone who will work for us and listen to our problems. He should do something for us and if we approach him, he should help us. He should make sure that boring is done in places and the drainage and garbage problem in the city is solved. That is all we want," said Pankaj Goswami, a local.
For years now, militancy-led violence has severely affected life and hampered the socio-economic growth of the region.
Normalcy and development are the two central concerns of the people that will play a decisive factor in the upcoming elections.
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