SHILLONG, Jan 19 ? The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), J M Lyngdoh Saturday said that he was satisfied with the poll preparations in Meghalaya going to the Assembly elections on February 26. Addressing a press conference here, Lyngdoh said the preparation was much better than that of the last elections in 1998. The CEC said that he was hopeful that the election in the State would be smooth as the State was more peaceful than Tripura and Nagaland.

Lyngdoh praised the State election authorities for covering 80 per cent of the total 12,79,740 voters under photo Identity Cards, and said that...

Imphal, January 19: After six-long days of entertaining, delighting and informing Kolkattans and giving them an opportunity of getting a glimpse of Manipur its history and cultural heritage as manifested in its dance, music, martial arts, folk theatre etc., and also its crafts and cuisines, its art and cinema, the curtains finally came down on the 'Festival of Manipur - A culture of Peace', on this evening of 19th January 19, 2003. Budhadev Bhattacharya, the West Bengal Chief Minister graced the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest and Harsh Vardhan Neotia, Chairman of Swabhurni presided over...

Imphal, January 19: Former Ministers Y Erabot and Vivek Raj Wangkhem besides MSCP leaders would personally approach the Election Commission of India at New Delhi to demand de-recognition of the merger of MSCP with the BJP. While former Minister and central committee member of the party Dr Y Jiten is already camping at the national capital on the matter, party president M Hemanta and MLA Vivek Raj left Imphal today, informed spokesman cum general secretary of MSCP Kh Devbrata to The Sangai Express. The Delhi visit is in compliance with the EC directives to personally appear before it, he said...

Kohima, Jan. 19: Stressing the need to bury the hatchet among warring militant outfits in Nagaland, the Naga Hoho and the Church have submitted a ?unity formula? to the NSCN (I-M). The two influential establishments have sought a firm commitment from the insurgent outfit in this regard.

A delegation comprising Hoho leaders and Church representatives met Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah in New Delhi, apprising the duo of the need for reconciliation.

?The reconciliation is crucial to a permanent solution. We have made our stand very clear, that all other underground groups should also be...

Shillong, Jan. 19: In poll parlance, a sensitive booth usually connotes a place where the authorities apprehend violence. In a departure of sorts, polling stations within the striking distance of rampaging elephants in the hills of Ri Bhoi and other Meghalaya districts have also been declared ?sensitive?.

The Election Commission has sought help from the forest department to ensure that voting is not disrupted by the elephants, who are posing an ?equally serious threat?.

The state election commission today said the forest department has been asked to provide logistic support to polling...