From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Monday conducted election for the post of Syiem of Mawiang, West Khasi Hills which has remained vacant since August 2008 after the previous Syiem R Worling Singh Syiem resigned from the post.
Three candidates – Thonderly Syiem, Nobestar Syiem and Melkhisedak Syiem – presented themselves for the post of Syiem of Mawiang. All the seven electors (Basan) – Qoulington Pariong of Pariong Sawkpoh clan, Hopingstone Lyngdoh of Lyngdoh Nonglait clan, Jrastan Lyngdoh of Lyngdoh Peinlang clan, Gesparly Roy Marwein of Marwein clan, Stalandar Thabah of Thabah clan, Srikliwell Marthong of Marthong clan and Kwinshon Pariong of Shikpoh clan – participated in the election.
John Dkhar, who was the presiding officer for the election, later announced that the result would be announced in Shillong shortly.
As per the traditional norms, the votes cast by the seven basan have to be unanimous, that is, in favour of one candidate. However, if the choice of candidate is not unanimous a re-election is held where the votes are cast by all males above the age of 18 from the community.
Interestingly, sources informed that the voting was not unanimous since one of the candidates had received five votes. The source also confirmed that there would be a re-election for election of the Syiem. The source, however, did not disclose the name of the candidate who had secured the votes.