KSU tells CEO not to include doubtful citizens in voters list

The Khasi Students Union (KSU), an influential students body in Meghalaya today demanded that the names of doubtful citizens, illegal immigrants and outsiders should not be included in the voters list of the state.
A KSU delegation met Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer F R Kharkongor at his office to put forth their demands.
"We have made it clear that we cannot accept this target because of the fact that the 2011 census does not include only the indigenous population or genuine voters of the state," KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah told reporters after meeting the CEO.
He alleged that the 2011 population census has also included "illegal immigrants" and "outsiders" who had come to work temporarily in the state.

The CEO told the KSU delegation that the targeted enrolment will focus on youth in the rural and border areas especially those who have attained the age of 18 years.
Earlier this month, the election department has also met political parties seeking their support to bridge the enrolment gap.

According to the CEO, there was 1,08,318 enrolment gap in the state taking into account the 2011 census.
The the gap in East Khasi Hills is 55,025, Ri Bhoi
11,000 and 28,999 in West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills. The highest gap is in Nongkrem legislative assembly constituency (16,037) and in Tikrikilla constituency (6,608), he said.

The total enrolment of voters in the state stands at 17.68 lakh as on September 27 last and the election department targeted to enrol another 40,000 voters in the till January 10.
The KSU, however, has expressed their opposition to enrol non-indigenous citizens above the age of 30 asking their whereabouts in the past.
"The CEO also assured that the department will further take up the matter seriously," Thabah said.