Shillong, Feb 12: The Meghalaya government will seek the cooperation of Assam to ensure peaceful conduct of the upcoming district council polls especially in the polling stations situated along the inter-state border.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary Y Tsering to review the preparedness of the state for holding the elections.

The meeting was attended by the Director General of Police (DGP) R Chandranathan, Commissioner & Secretary in-charge District Council Affairs (DCA) Tining Dkhar besides other senior government officials.

Elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) are slated to be held on February 27, while counting will be on March 2.

“The chief secretary and director general of police will be speaking with their counterparts in Assam on the need to maintain vigil to ensure peaceful conduct of elections in polling stations along the inter-state border,” Dkhar told reporters here on Tuesday.

He said the polling stations along the inter-state border are mainly located in four districts which include West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, East Jaintia Hills and West Jaintia Hills.

While there are a total of 1433 polling stations spread across the four districts under the jurisdiction of the KHADC, only 408 in the two districts under the JHADC.

Asked, the DCA senior official informed that the respective deputy commissioners have been asked to submit reports with regards to polling stations identified as hyper-sensitive and sensitive.

He said the state police chief have assured all possible assistance to ensure that the law and order situation during the elections is maintained.

“Security will be provided by the state police. Personnel from civil defence and home guards will also assist the state police,” Dkhar said.