SHILLONG: The campaigning for the December 13 Council elections to the six KHADC seats and one JHADC seat ended on Sunday.
Altogether, 33 candidates will contest the district council by-election.
During the campaign, the candidates for the KHADC seats had highlighted strengthening of the District Council’s laws, MUDA’s encroachment and empowerment of women as mentioned by the lone woman contestant (BJP’s Mamiry Nongkhlaw), reclaiming indigenous ownership rights over land and other issues pertinent to the respective constituency.
From Nongspung-Sohiong constituency are Kyntiewborlang Syiemlieh (BJP), Nathaniel Osbert Rymmai (Congress), Pret Mawlong (Independent), Samlin Malngiang (HSPDP) and Wankupar Syiemlieh (UDP).
The campaigning was peaceful with no complaints lodged by any party.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma did not campaign for the Congress candidates.
Nongkrem constituency candidates eager for a positive response from the public included Edarstar Lyngdoh Nongbri (KHNAM), HS Shylla (UDP), Hubert Ford Riang (HSPDP), Lamborsing Nongrum (INC) and Mamiry Nongkhlaw (BJP).
Laban-Mawprem constituency candidates include Allowis Dohtdong (Independent), Bankhrawsing Kharbuli (KHNAM), Banrikupar Wahlang (HSPDP), Frederick Joplang Lyngshiang (UDP), Hubert Marbaniang (BJP) and Ricky Shullai (NCP), Sanbor Shullai’s nephew.
For Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency, Kimfa Marbaniang (Congress), World Champion Paliar (HSPDP), Denestar Pariong (BJP) and Morningstar Tympuin (UDP) will battle for the MDC seat.
In Pariong-Mawthadraishan constituency, the candidates in fray are Ionis Lyngdoh (Congress), Blangstar Warjri (HSPDP), Thunder Warjri (BJP) and Pyndapbor Lyngdoh Marshillong (KHNAM). For the Nongkhlaw-Mairang seat, the candidates are Councillor Sing Wahlang (BJP), Alex Kharsyntiew (HSPDP), Lambok Nongrang (Congress) and Equator Nongrang (UDP).
The four candidates in fray for the War East seat are former JHADC chief Lamdibok Sumer (Congress), Losing Lakuna (Independent) and two first-time candidates – Firstborn Manner (UDP) and Smenlang Kyndait (BJP).
There will be 232 polling stations for the KHADC elections while JHADC will have 18 polling stations for the Council elections. A total number of 1,46,544 voters in the KHADC elections and 6,739 for the JHADC will decide the fate of the candidates.
Counting is scheduled for December 16.
The by-poll was necessitated after seven MLAs resigned from the post of MDCs last year following the passing of the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) (Amendment) Act, 2015, which seeks to end holding of dual posts by the MLAs.
