Shillong, Nov 11:The state election machinery was not consulted when the cabinet appointed the chairperson of Zilla Parishad for West Garo Hills.
Gambegre goes to polls on November 13 and the model code of conduct is effective in the district.
The state cabinet had on November 5 approved Col Daryl Hopkins as the top Zilla Sainik Welfare Officer, Tura.
When asked after the cabinet meeting, the state home department official CVD Diengdoh had said that if there is a need, he would cross-check with the election department to know whether there was any model code violation.
Hopkins was recommended by the department selection committee for selection as Zilla Sainik Welfare Officer for a period of 5 years. He is currently 52 and the appointment is for a period of 5 years.
In response to a query whether the appointment of Hopkins in Tura is a violation of model code of conduct and why the government did not wait till the elections are over, Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tiwari said he is not aware of the appointment.
“We are not aware of the cabinet decision. The government has not informed anything in this regard and there was no consultation”, Tiwari added.
When asked about the 3% hike in Dearness Allowance prior to the Gambegre bypoll, Tiwari said since it was for the whole state, it doest not invoke any violation.
There were allegations from many quarters that the NPP is using the goverment machinery to appease the voters and win the bypoll but the state election machinery gave clean chit to the party in one such case of distribution of roofing materials as raised by the Trinamool Congress.
