SHILLONG, May 12: The KHADC Delimitation Committee is yet to receive the electoral rolls from three districts, thus affecting the exercise of reshaping the 29 existing constituencies.
The committee is also in a dilemma as it is receiving fresh representations from villages where it is already on the job of compiling the report.
The Delimitation Committee’s chairman, Stralwell Kharsyiemlieh told The Shillong Times on Sunday that one of their major problems has been the delay in receiving the electoral rolls from the Ri-Bhoi, South West Khasi Hills, Eastern West Khasi Hills districts, and the Sohra civil subdivision.
The electoral rolls of the East Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills districts have been received so far, he said.
“We will need the latest electoral rolls since it is an adjustment of the existing constituencies. We will have to look at the electorate size to decide on the readjustment of the constituencies,” Kharsyiemlieh, also a former KHADC judge, said.
He said fresh representations from many villages that did not attend the public hearing are also a major problem the committee has been facing.
These villages claimed that they were not aware of the public hearing conducted by the delimitation committee, he added.
“Now, we have to visit and hear the views of these villages. We want to give everyone an opportunity since we feel it is not fair if we do not take everyone on board,” Kharsyiemlieh said.
He said they have started to compile the report of the areas from where representations have been received.
“We will have to redraft the report and it is an extensive exercise. The earlier exercise of compilation is now wasted,” he said.
Replying to a query, he said the committee would not be able to decide whether or not to accept fresh representations for many villages or areas.
“We will be writing to the Executive Committee to decide whether or not we should accept fresh representations,” he said.
Kharsyiemlieh said they will try their best to submit the report within the extension period given to the committee.
Earlier, the KHADC Deputy CEM, PN Syiem said the Governor notified the extension of the term for six months with effect from March 13 following a Cabinet recommendation.
He said the EC has not set any time frame for the Delimitation Committee to complete the exercise since it wanted the exercise for the 29 constituencies to be done properly.
“We will not be able to say if the Delimitation Committee will complete the exercise within these six months,” he added.
