SHILLONG: The Chief Electoral Officer of the state of Meghalaya has announced compensation for the death of a polling officer ahead of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly polls which is going on, on Monday.
The vehicle carrying the officials who were given the duty to handle the voting in the 44/8 Jangrapara Lower Primary School polling station which falls under the 44 Raksamgre Assembly Constituency has encountered with an accident. The accident took place in the Photamati region of the West Garo Hills district on the night of Saturday. The incident led to the death of a polling official named Chesham Ch Marak.
The other officials and security personnel were also injured in the accident. All the victims were initially taken to the Tikrikila Community Health Center. Chesham Ch Marak and his colleagues were shifted to a medical facility in Goalpara of Assam. The second polling official of the team, Chesham Ch Marak had suffered serious injuries on his head. He was shifted to Guwahati from Goalpara, but was declared dead on arrival at the hospital in Guwahati.
The Chief Electoral Official FR Kharkongor had also expressed his condolences on the heartbreaking incident while calling Chesham Ch Marak a keen and dedicated employee and a flag bearer of democracy in the region.
He also extended his prayers and support towards the family members of Chesham Ch Marak, while announcing the exgratia for the fallen official. His next of kin will be receiving the sum of Rs 15 lakhs from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer on the day. He also called the polling officials and members as the foot soldiers of democracy and acknowledged the significant efforts of all the people involved.
The polling began in the state at 7 AM on Monday and will continue till 4 PM.
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