SHILLONG: The fate of 231 candidates will be known on Saturday with the stage set for the counting of lakhs of votes to the two autonomous district councils (ADCs) of Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills.
The counting will start at 8 am and the results will be known by noon.
The elections to KHADC with 130 candidates and JHADC (101) were held on Wednesday.
The parties and candidates have already made claims and counter claims over the results.
The results will prove whether the ruling MDA has the grass-roots support in Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
If the outcome is favourable to the Congress, it will be a boost for the party ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Commissioner and Secretary of District Council Affairs department Tining Dkhar said the department carried out a video conference with the deputy commissioners in view of the counting.
In addition to this, a special training was given on Friday to the counting agents.
Police will also keep a close watch on the victory processions to ensure peace.
The counting for Khasi Hills will be at Polo grounds. In West Jaintia Hills the counting centres will be at the office of the DC while in Khliehriat (for East Jaintia Hills), the counting centre will be at Jaintia College.
Counting centres will also be set up in the office of SDO (Civil) in Amlarem, Sohra and Mairang.
For KHADC, two MLAs — Independent Lambor Malngiang (Nongkrem) and NPP candidate Gigur Myrthong (Mawshynrut) — contested the polls.
However, no MLA is in the fray in JHADC.
Some of the prominent contestants are former MLAs Ronnie Lyngdoh, Martle Mukhim, Paul Lyngdoh, Robinus Syngkon and KP Pangniang, former KHADC deputy CEM Teilinia Thangkhiew, former KHADC CEM PN Syiem, MDCs Grace Mary Kharpuri, Latiplang Kharkongor and Donkupar Sumer, JHADC chief executive member MD Rymbai, MDCs Lamdibok Sumer, Moonlight Pariat, Thombor Shiwat and Violet Lyngdoh.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Matsiewdor War Nongbri said the counting will take place in Indoor Stadium, Dalang stage and Training Halls in the Polo sports complex.
Stating that most of the results would be announced by 12 noon, she added that police personnel would be deployed at the counting centres to ensure that law and order is maintained.
The crowd and supporters will get updates about the counting on a giant screen to be set up at Polo complex.
Live telecast
U Peitngor Cable News (PCN) and Batesi TV, in collaboration with the District Council Affairs Department, will telecast live the counting of votes for KHADC on Saturday.
There will also be a panel discussion with prominent persons. Live updates of the votes will also be screened. The live programme can be seen on local cable channels from 8 am.
NPP sure of MDA forming ECs
The NPP is optimistic of MDA forming the ECs in both the KHADC and JHADC with counting of votes for the elections held on February 27 slated for Saturday.
Transport Minister and NPP leader Sniawbhalang Dhar said he was absolutely confident that MDC would form the ECs in both the councils.
The view was also echoed by NPP state president WR Kharlukhi, who expressed confidence that the MDA partners will jointly form the new ECs.
Asked about accusations against NPP candidate PN Syiem whose supporters were caught while allegedly distributing money to voters, Kharlukhi said, “I believe a person is not guilty until convicted.”
Women on top
The number of women who exercised their right to vote was more than the number of men in both the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).
Out of 29 constituencies, it was only in the JHADC constituencies of Saipung, Narpuh and Bataw-Lakadong that male voters outnumbered their female counterparts. In KHADC, female voters were more than the male voters in all the 29 constituencies.
