SHILLONG: In view of the upcoming by-election to KHADC and JHADC, the District Council Affairs Department has issued instructions to be strictly followed by all contesting candidates in the interest of free and fair elections.
An official statement in this regard said the respective Deputy Commissioners and Returning Officers will regulate the number of vehicles to be utilised by contesting candidates and permission for use of loud speakers or P.A System by keeping in mind the spirit of the Election Commission’s model code of conduct on the matter.
The order also states that no fresh release of funds under the MLAs’ Local Area Development Fund and MPs’ Local Area Development Fund (whether Central or State scheme) will be made by any department till the completion of the election process.
“No scheme, for which the work orders had been issued but the work has actually not started in the field before the issue of the notification for calling the constituencies to elect their representatives under Rule 126 (1), should be started. Such works can be started after the completion of the election process. However, if the work has actually started, this can continue,” the statement said.
Ceremonies for laying foundation stones and announcement of any new scheme funded under the State Plan in respect of the districts comprised within Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills districts should be kept on hold till the election process is over.
Announcement of any new schemes to be implemented by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council or award of any contract, settlement of any agreement with any parties should be kept on hold till the completion of the election process, the statement added.
The instructions will be applicable only to areas falling in the district council constituency or constituencies going for by-election and not in the entire district in which such constituency is situated.
There is also a ban on the use of official government vehicles and official vehicles allotted to CEMs, EMs and the Chairman of KHADC and JHADC by contesting candidates during the period till the election process is over. Another direction is that cash in excess of Rs 50,000 to be carried by contesting candidate or their supporters will be confiscated.
Meanwhile, the Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills district, has published additional polling stations for Rambrai Jyrngam district council constituency.
