ADCs polls peaceful,voters turnout 60 %

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, DEC 13: The bye-elections to the seven vacant seats in the two tribal district councils of Khasi and Jaintia hills passed off peacefully on Tuesday registering less than 60 percent overall voters’ turnout.

However officials said that the overall percentage of voters’ turnout is not final as there are some polling stations, especially those located along in West Khasi Hills, who are yet to submit their reports.

Polling began started at 7am and ended at 4pm amidst tight security in as many as 250 polling stations spread across the seven constituencies which include six in KHADC and 1 in JHADC.

Speaking to journalists, District Council Affairs (DCA) Commissioner & Secretary T Dkhar said, “Polling in all the constituencies was peaceful with no reports of any untoward incidents.”

He informed the overall percentage of voters’ turnout as was available in the evening was not final as some polling stations located along West Khasi hills are yet to submit their reports.

He said the delay in submission of report is because the polling stations are located far with connectivity and informed that correct and accurate figure can only be given by tomorrow. He also said all EVMs were functioning in good condition.

Meanwhile, War-East constituency – the single vacant seat under JHADC’s West Jaintia Hills district- recorded the highest voters turnout where over 86% of the 6739 voters casted their votes.

“We expect this figure (86%) to go up as we are still waiting for some more polling stations to provide us with the details,” West Jaintia Hills District deputy commissioner Arunkumar Kembhavi said.

“A total of 5927 voters casted their votes during the polling, which passed off peacefully,” West Jaintia Hills District deputy commissioner Arunkumar Kembhavi said.

Meanwhile, the voters’ turnout in the 3 constituencies under East Khasi Hills district is around 52 percent while the other three in West Khasi Hills district recorded 60 percent.

The turnout in Laban-Mawprem was at 52%, Nongkrem at 48%, Nongspung-Sohiong at 50%, Rambrai-Jyrngam – 44.6%, Mairang-Nongkhlaw – 67.17% and Pariong-Mawthadraishan – 66%.

As many as 33 candidates from different political parties including ruling Congress (6 candidates), Hill State People Democratic Party (6), United Democratic Party (7), Bharatiya Janata Party (7) Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (3), Nationalist Congress Party (1) and Independents (3) were in the fray.

The bye election was necessitated after 7 MLAs had resigned from the post of MDCs of the KHADC and JHADC following the passing of the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) (Amendment) Act, 2015, which seeks to end holding of dual posts by the MLAs, last year.