SHILLONG: The results of GHADC polls, held on October 12, are expected to start coming by 12 noon on Thursday as counting of votes will take place in the district headquarters of all the five districts of Garo Hills simultaneously.
The counting is scheduled to start at 8am.
On the eve of elections, all political parties sounded optimistic about the outcome of the poll. However, none of parties could predict the number of seats, out of the total 29, they will be winning as they are yet to analyze in what way they will benefit due to the low percentage of votes in the hills and more in the plains.
When contacted, the AICC general secretary in charge Meghalaya, V. Narayanasamy said that as per the inputs provided by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and MPCC president DD Lapang, the party has an edge. According to Narayanasamy, the disturbance during the polls by militants did not deter people from coming out in large numbers to cast their votes and this has only helped Congress to do better.
Militants should join mainstream
Narayanasamy said that the militants, whether they are in Meghalaya or elsewhere in the Northeast, should join the mainstream as people will not tolerate unrest any more.
Citing the example of GHADC polls which received good response despite boycott calls issued by several pressure groups and militant outfits, Narayanasawmy said, “People do not like the stand of the militants. They should join the mainstream”.
Pressure groups to continue opposition
Even though the people of Garo Hills turned out in significant number to vote during the GHADC polls despite the boycott call of the pressure groups opposing the participation of non-tribals, a conglomeration of NGOs (GSU, FKJGP, ADE, AYWO & FAF) has expressed resentment over the conduct of the polls and vowed to carry on its opposition.
Condemning the move of the Government to put a clamp on internet, taking advantage of which, “candidates misled the citizens by spreading rumours that the NGOs have called off their boycott of the polls” the NGOs said that election observers failed to monitor the cash flow and distribution of alcohol to people. The NGOs also demanded that the Government should declare the poll percentage of the Garo voters separately.
