SHILLONG: Mixed reactions on whether to hold the Council polls or not emerged at a meeting of all MDCs called by Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) CEM, HS Shylla on Friday.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Shylla said some MDCs felt that election should be held as per the schedule on February 27 while some felt that the election should be put on a hold as the Union Cabinet had approved amendment to Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
“Those who felt that the election should be stalled said that the state government has to think twice as the expenditure is not from the state government but it is the District Council who does the funding for the (Council) elections,” he said.
The MDCs who supported the postponement of the polls observed that if the election was to be conducted again, the District Council would have to unnecessarily shell out expenditure for the second time.
Echoing the sentiments to postpone the elections, he said the District Council was also facing financial crunch.
“I am all out for extension of the polls,” Shylla said.
It may be mentioned that the state government has categorically stated that there will be no change in the district council election schedule even as the Union Cabinet has approved amendments to Article 280 and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said the amendments would be a lengthy process as it will have to be approved in both the Houses of Parliament, besides requiring the assent of the President.