SHILLONG: Piwell Shylla, who aspires to contest the upcoming Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), has petitioned the district election officer of East Jaintia Hills alleging that people are being restrained from exercising their right to vote.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Shylla said, “Glancing at the preceding elections, it is always observed that there is this practice in many villages where the Dorbar made resolutions and decisions that voters should vote only for one candidate favoured by the village dorbar.”
“The decisions or resolutions made were never unanimous but of a few dominant village elders. The diktat resolutions made by the village dorbar is violating the electors’ legal right,” he added.
He said Article 326 of the Indian Constitution had given the right to every citizen above 18 years of age to exercise his or her franchise. Shylla, who will contest from Musniang-Rngad constituency, raised concern that village dorbar under the constituency and in other district councils will again resort to the practice. His statement comes at a time when parties are preparing for next year’s council polls.
According to him, the weaker section of the society is facing danger as their right to vote is restrained. Though undecided, he will file a PIL in the high court if the practice continues.
Shylla also observed that most of the MDCs do not speak about the welfare of people in the council.
