NONGPOH/MAWKYRWAT/JOWAI, Jan 30: On the third day of the nomination process, two NPP candidates, five from the Congress and one from the VPP submitted their papers on Thursday for the upcoming KHADC polls.
Additionally, six candidates contesting from the JHADC also filed their nomination papers.
The submissions included NPP candidates Rangkynsai Kharbuki from Umroi and Joplin Sten from Mawhati. The NPP duo submitted their papers at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Nongpoh, Ri-Bhoi.
The Congress contestants were Lawrence Nongrum from Nongpoh, Rocky A Marwein from Umsning, Dominic Mynsong from Mawhati, Victor Rani from Jirang and MD Syiem from Umroi constituency.
While the Congress was a confident lot in the speeches, the NPP candidates made a strong stand on preservation of the Khasi identity.
Rangkynsai Kharbuki, the sitting MDC from Umroi, promised to push for abolition of inter-community marriages under ‘Tangjait’ system, while advocating for maintaining the purity of Khasi blood. He argued that intermarriage between Khasi individuals and those from other communities has significantly diluted and impacted the Khasi identity.
VPP candidate from Mawkyrwat Pynkhrawborlin Kharjahrin also filed his nomination for the upcoming MDC elections on Thursday. Kharjahrin, who was accompanied by VPP candidate from Ranikor, Overlin Imiong, leaders of VPP Mawkyrwat, parents and supporters, submitted his papers before the returning officer of Mawkyrwat constituency, LT Tariang.
In an interaction with reporters, Kharjahrin said the party’s fight is against “unclean governance and corruption” and not any candidate.
In the Jaintia Hills, six candidates including NPP’s Rudaioo Tang from Shilliang Myntang, Reformson Lamare from Nartiang Wahiajer, Jesse Suiam from oodymmai Nongkhroh, Congress’s Rikut Parien from Saphai Sahsniang, VPP’s Laiawanlam Jinghun Khynriam from Mynsoo Nangjngi, and an independent, Wendolin Chullai, from Mukhla Ummulong, filed their nominations at the office of the Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills.
The last date for submission of nomination papers is February 3. The scrutiny of the papers will take place until 3 pm on February 3. The withdrawal of nominations will be allowed until February 4.
The final list of valid candidates and the allocation of election symbols will be announced on February 6.
