SHILLONG: The stage is set for the polls to KHADC and JHADC on Wednesday as more than 10 lakh tribal voters of Khasi-Jaintia Hills will exercise their franchise to choose 29 MDCs in each council.
The voting time is from 7 am to 4 pm. The counting of votes will take place on March 2.
After intensive campaigning, the judgement day has finally come and candidates representing various political parties will be hoping to receive the blessings of the electorate when voting takes place for the two autonomous district councils.
The election is crucial for the ruling coalition as this will be a test of the popularity of the MDA comprising NPP, UDP, PDF, HSPDP and others.
The BJP has not fielded any candidate for the council polls.
In KHADC, there are altogether 1,433 polling stations with 8,28,774 voters.
Altogether 130 candidates are contesting the KHADC election from different political parties.
The HSPDP has fielded candidates from 13 constituencies while the Congress is contesting in all the 29 seats. The new entrant, JD(U), is contesting from two seats while KHNAM will try its luck in eight seats. The NPP, which is heading the MDA government in Meghalaya, is contesting the election from 18 constituencies while PDF will fight for 15 seats.
UDP, a strong regional force in Meghalaya, is contesting 26 seats and there are 19 independents in the fray.
In constituencies like Mawhati, Umroi, Sohra and Mawkhar- Pynthorumkhrah, there are seven candidates each who are contesting the election. In Mairang- Nongkhlaw constituency, there are only two candidates.
As far as JHADC is concerned, altogether 2,51,514 voters will exercise their franchise at 408 polling stations to decide the fate of 101 candidates.
Here, HSPDP is contesting only one seat whereas the Congress is fielding candidates in 18 seats. The NPP is fielding candidates in 28 seats while PDF will contest in nine constituencies. The UDP will contest the election from 26 seats and there are as many as 19 independent candidates.
Two MLAs, Independent Lambor Malngiang (Nongkrem) and NPP candidate Gigur Myrthong (Mawshynrut) are contesting the KHADC polls.
However, no legislator is in the fray in JHADC.
The prominent contestants are Ronnie Lyngdoh, Teilinia Thangkhiew, PN Syiem, Paul Lyngdoh, Grace Mary Kharpuri, Martle Mukhim, JHADC chief executive member MD Rymbai, Lamdibok Sumer, Robinus Syngkon, Moonlight Pariat and others.
Since there were no significant agenda during the campaign, the Congress harped on the nexus of the MDA partners with the BJP in the context of issues related to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
However, the MDA partners tried to explain to the people about the efforts of the coalition to stall the bill.
Border dispute especially related to the incidents at Langpih, pending Village Administration Bill among others also figured during the campaign.
Commissioner and Secretary, District Council Affairs department T. Dkhar said elaborate arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of polls.
Additional EVMs have already been provided to replace any malfunctioning EVM during the polls, he said.
Security has also been beefed up in the state, including Shillong, in view of the council elections. There are 109 vulnerable and 20 critical polling stations in East Khasi Hills. In West Khasi Hills, there are 22 vulnerable and seven critical booths. In South West Khasi Hills, the numbers are 32 and three, respectively.
Ri Bhoi has 71 vulnerable and seven critical booths. Mairang has seven vulnerable and no critical booths. Similarly, Sohra has 16 vulnerable booths.
In East Jaintia Hills, there are 35 vulnerable and six critical polling booths. In West Jaintia Hills, the numbers are 75 and 23, respectively. Amlarem has 13 vulnerable booths but no critical polling stations.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Matsiewdor War Nongbri said all the arrangements are in place and the polling teams have already reached their respective polling stations.
She also said as far as security is concerned, everything is in order and she had a detailed meeting with the district police in the last couple of days to ensure that security is in place during the elections as well as the counting day.
Meanwhile, a parent said Army Public School, Shillong 101 Area, is reopening on Wednesday. “Can they (the school authorities) do that when the state government has declared February 27 as a general holiday on account of the council polls,” the parent asked.
District Council polls at a glance
KHADC: Total electorate: 8,28,774KHADC: Total electorate: 8,28,774Male: 4,00,783Female: 4,27,991Smallest constituency: Laban-Mawprem (12,953 voters)Biggest constituency: Mawlai (45,466 voters)Total polling stations: 1,433JHADC: Total electorate: 2,51,514Male: 1,21,830Female: 1,29,684Smallest constituency: Saipung (5,429 voters) Biggest constituency: Rymbai- Khliehriat (14,107 voters)Total polling stations: 408Poll timing: 7 am to 4 pm