MAWKYRWAT: South West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo has ordered an inquiry into the curious case of villagers’ fear of Aadhaar that has adversely affected voter turnout in Mawkyrwat and Ranikor constituencies.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Thursday, Laloo said leaders of different political parties informed her on February 28 about the misgivings of some people in the district about Aadhaar and EPIC allegedly because a preacher had explained that these were linked to 666, believed to be the number of the Devil.
“The sector officer stationed at Manad village said this news reached him on the night before the election. He tried to dispel people’s doubts, talked to the village elders and church leaders and convinced as many people as he could to vote,” she said.
Laloo also regretted that despite the Election Department working intensively with religious leaders, village elders and NGOs for spreading awareness and dispelling rumours, a section of the people chose not to vote because of the unfounded fear.
“We want to bring these people to book,” the DC said, adding that she had ordered an inquiry into the matter that will be conducted by the block development officer of Mawkyrwat, who is also the extra assistant commissioner.
Village heads and leaders of several political parties told that many voters from Mawsep, Mawthawpdah, Photjaud War, Mawrap and Manad under Mawkyrwat constituency were scared to cast votes.
They had confessed that a group of preachers led by one “Phawa” travelled across villages preaching the Gospel and interpreting that “Aadhaar, EPIC and the voting machines have connection with the 666”.
