SHILLONG/JOWAI: The campaigning for the council polls will end at 4 pm on Monday.
The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) elections are scheduled for February 27. The urban areas in Khasi and Jaintia Hills saw low-key campaigning as compared to the rural pockets.
There are altogether 101 candidates contesting the polls.
The National People’s Party (NPP), United Democratic Party (UDP), People’s Democratic Front (PDF), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), Congress and Independents are the contenders.
Other than an FIR filed in Ummulong-Moodymmai constituency on violation of model code of conduct, campaigning has been peaceful.
The prominent candidates in Khasi Hills are UDP’s Paul Lyngdoh, who is contesting from Jaiaw and will face former Congress’s Auguster Jyrwa and Independent Thomas Passah; NPP’s PN Syiem; NPP’s Gigur Myrthong, Independent Lambor Malngiang and HSPDP’s Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, all of whom are MLAs, among others.
There are three independent candidates in the fray in Sohra – Brianstar Majaw, Mattsing Nongrum and RL Nongrum.
In Jaintia Hills, Saturday witnessed high-pitched campaigning.
This time, many constituencies will see close fight between NPP and UDP. The Congress and PDF will also be crucial contenders in some constituencies.
The highest number of candidates is from Barato-Mukroh.
In War East, UDP candidate Lamdibok Sumer will be challenged by NPP’s Gillroy Tariang. In War Central, the Congress’s Holando Lamin will face UDP’s Hat Pohchen.
Brightstar Chyrmang of NPP will have a straight fight with UDP candidate and MDC Marki Mulieh from Jowai North. In Jowai South, Moonlight Pariat of UDP is having a close fight with NPP candidate Saron Pasweth.
Jowai Central is witnessing a triangular contest among UDP candidate Kitbok Nongtdu, Tei Hinge of NPP and MDC Andrew Shullai of the Congress.
