By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 10: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Misei, Mawsmai and Langdongdai polling stations, which met on Tuesday, unanimously resolved to boycott the upcoming elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
The decision was taken as a mark of protest against the move to attach the three polling stations to the Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency based on the recommendations of the delimitation committee.
Earlier, the JAC had submitted a representation to the council stating that the residents of 21 villages falling under the three polling stations would like to remain with Mawshynrut constituency. It said the decision to attach the polling stations to Rambrai-Jyrngam was against the wishes of the people.
During Tuesday’s public meeting, the residents expressed resentment as their request to remain with the Mawshynrut constituency was not considered.
“We are against the decision of the select committee and the delimitation committee, headed by former district council judge Dr Stralwell Kharsyiemlieh, to forcefully detach them (three polling stations) from the Mawshynrut constituency. We are going to boycott the elections as a mark of protest,” the JAC resolved in the meeting.
The 21 villages placed a demand before KHADC Chief Executive Member Pyniaid Sing Syiem and Deputy CEM Pynshngain N Syiem to create a new constituency for the council’s refusal to listen to their plea.
The meeting of the JAC was attended by traditional heads and members of women organisations, youth organisations and pressure groups from the 21 villages.
Earlier, the Deputy CEM had stated that the KHADC would find it difficult to attend to any fresh petitions relating to the reorganisation of constituencies due to time constraints.
He had also said that the matter was also no longer within the control of the council’s Executive Committee (EC) since the Governor approved the KHADC (Constitution of District Council) (Amendment) Rules, 2024, thereby paving the way for the delimitation of constituencies ahead of the polls.
Syiem said it would be difficult to move back since the District Council Affairs (DCA) department had initiated the process to hold the elections. He said the EC would face difficulties in entertaining petitions due to paucity of time.
“It is not easy since the EC will need to reintroduce the amendment rules in the House if any changes have to be made,” Syiem had stated, adding that not just the council, the DCA department, Governor’s Secretariat and State Election Commission are also involved.
He had stated that the amendment of the Sixth Schedule was not far away. Once it happens, the number of seats in the KHADC will increase from 29 to 35, he had stated.
“We will try to address the concerns of various villages once the amendment of the Sixth Schedule gets the nod of the Parliament,” Syiem had said.