Guv approves delimitation Bills
SHILLONG: With Government Dr KK Paul giving his assent to the amendment rules (delimitation of the constituencies), decks have been cleared to hold February 24 elections to KHADC and JHADC in delimited constituencies.
The delimitation exercise has been carried out after 30 years. The last delimitation of constituencies was done 1983-84.
“The Governor has given the assent to both the amendment rules of KHADC and JHADC for delimitation of the constituencies on Thursday evening,” official sources said on Friday.
The State Cabinet this week had approved the amendment rules before it was sent to the Governor for his approval.
“The District Council Affairs (DCA) department would now officially intimate to the two Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and to the various Deputy Commissioners about the Governor’s approval,” official sources said.
Meanwhile, official sources said that Deputy Commissioners will now have to prepare the electoral rolls as per the delimited constituencies.
As per the delimitation Bill, the KHADC created Umsning constituency by deleting Laitkroh constituency. With the deletion of Laitkroh, the areas falling under the constituency have been attached to various other constituencies namely Mylliem, Langkyrdem and Sohra.
Twenty-nine members each will be elected to both the KHADC and the JHADC, while one member each will be nominated to complete the 30-member Houses.
Meanwhile, elections for KHADC will be held in 458 polling stations.
Speaking to The Shillong Times here on Friday, Sanjay Goyal, who is the returning officer, said his office is working on all the details to conduct the elections in smooth and peaceful manner.
Reacting to a query, he said that the model code of conduct would come into force on February 5, the day official notification is released.
The biggest challenge for the department is to conduct the elections under the new delimitated constituencies.
“There may be some issues as people will have to change their polling stations under the new delimitated constituencies and there may be confusion but we are trying to address it,” Goyal said.
When asked about the security, Goyal said that the calling of additional security forces would depend on the assessment of the law and order situation by the district police. The counting of votes will take place on February 27.