GUWAHATI: Sitting MDC from Nongpoh constituency, Rona Khymdeit is confident of retaining the seat in the February 27 autonomous district council elections, while promising to focus on framing stronger customary laws and rules for empowering different clans of Ri Bhoi district.
Khymdeit who is from United Democratic Party, says the main fight, like in the past, would be with Congress, which has put up Balajied Ranee as its candidate this time.
Former chief executive member (CEM) of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council ADC, Rangkynsai Makdoh is contesting the seat from National People’s Party after another former CEM, CB Syiem had to opt out of the polls owing to personal issues.
“Some special provisions are needed to protect the customary practices in our area (Ri Bhoi).”
“In fact, in the KHADC executive committee meeting on the Khasi Social Custom of Lineage (Amendment) Bill last year, I had stressed the need for gathering intricate details and knowledge about the clans in Ri Bhoi which follow the customary practice of Shaw Bhoi,” Khymdeit told The Shillong Times from Nongpoh on Saturday.
The practice allows a male to marry a woman from a different community if there is less or no female member to carry forward the name of the clan.
“I will concentrate on local issues and framing stronger customary laws and rules for empowering our people,” the lone woman candidate from Nongpoh, said.
With just three days left for the ADC polls, candidates in the constituency have stepped up campaigning which comes to an end on Monday.
Traditionally, Nongpoh has seen a Congress-UDP battle in the district council elections. In 2014, Rona defeated Augustine Wahlang of Congress by a sizeable margin of 3406 votes.
