Shillong, Nov. 21: The help of political parties in Meghalaya was sought by the state election department to get left out voters enrolled ahead of the state Assembly polls to be held early next year.

With over 1.08 lakh left out voters yet to enroll, Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer, F.R. Kharkongor has urged political parties to help bridging the gap during a meeting with representatives of political parties here on Tuesday.

“We requested the political parties to actively help us in bridging this gap, and we hope we can exceed 18 lakh voters in 2018,” Kharkongor said.

As on September 27, about 17,68,515 voters have been enrolled, and about 1,08,318 voters are yet to be enrolled.

The Election Commission of India has extended the enrolment period from October 30 to November 30 with an objective to maximize registration of voters.

According to Kharkongor, those born on January 1, 2000, who will touch 18 years next year will be considered “millennium voters” and they would be felicitated on national voters’ day as a mark of welcoming them to the democratic process.

In East Khasi Hills district, 55,025 voters are yet to be enrolled is with Nongkrem constituency having highest number (16,037).

In Garo Hills, the highest gap is West Garo Hills (28,000) and the highest gap is Tikrikilla constituency (6608), Ri-Bhoi district (11,000), and South Garo Hills (12,000).

The political parties were also shared about new methods on electoral management including software relating to model code of conduct, permission for vehicles, general permission to hold meetings, besides using of VVPATs, and formation of a state level media certification and monitoring committee that monitors publication of paid news.

Meanwhile Kharkongor said that all deputy commissioners, have been asked to look into the existence of dual voters in areas along the Meghalaya-Assam border.

In Garo Hills, 24 dual voters in Dadenggre have been deleted,, Kharkongor said.

“We are in touch with the Assam CEO on this issue as we cannot delete names without having documentary proof,” he said.