SHILLONG: Some constituencies in the State are huge in terms of area although the population may be low. Management of such constituencies which are spread out and at times inaccessible is a challenging task for the MLAs.
As the areas are huge, the important question is whether the constituencies in the state need go for another delimitation.
Sharing his views on the matter, Minister in charge Sports and Youth Affairs and MLA from Rangsakona, Zenith Sangma said that though delimitation may not be required some fine-tuning needs to be done to check the loopholes afflicting the constituencies.
Minister in charge, PWD (Roads) MM Danggo, who is also the MLA of Ranikor, said that delimitation is the prerogative of the Centre and it cannot be done at the State level.
“Let us hope that the Election Commission of India understands the vastness of the constituencies,” he said.
The statement of the Minister assumes significance since Ranikor is one constituency which is largely spread out and it takes 2-3 hours to traverse from one place to another.
While the constituencies in the urban areas are within a distance of five to six kilometres many constituencies in rural Meghalaya are spread over a sizeable area and Ranikor is the best example. The distance between Ranikor and Maheshkhola within the same constituency is more than 50 kilometers.
On the other hand, Mawsynram MLA and KHADC CEM, PN Syiem said that delimitation is not required since the last delimitation took place before the 2013 Assembly elections.
It may be mentioned that Mawsynram too is big in terms of size though the population in the constituency is not as big.
He also said that delimitation for MDC constituencies took place three-four years back and it is usually approved by the House of the KHADC.
Echoing similar views, UDP General Secretary, Bindo Lanong said that delimitation is not necessary as long as all voters are all enrolled.
