Shillong: The election for the Autonomous District Councils in Meghalaya’s Khasi and Jaintia Hills region has concluded, with a recorded voter turnout of 72.45%.
The turnout varied significantly across constituencies, with Nongspung-Sohiong seeing the highest participation at 86.06%, while Jirang recorded the lowest at 51.46%.
Out of the 996,518 registered voters, the overall turnout reflects active participation in the region’s democratic process, though it also highlighted some challenges.
While polling proceeded peacefully at most stations, there were disruptions reported at four polling stations in East Jaintia Hills.
Eyewitnesses reported that a group of miscreants vandalised and destroyed Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at several locations, including Wapung School A and Wapung School B in the Musniang-Rangad constituency, and Bataw A and Bataw B in the Bataw-Lakadong constituency.
According to the returning officer, the incident took place around 11:30 am when a group of unidentified individuals forcibly entered Wapungskur polling station, damaging EVMs and official election documents.
While the perpetrators were not masked, their identities remain unknown.
In response, the district administration of East Jaintia Hills has invoked Section 163 of the BNSS, which prohibits the assembly of more than five persons in and around Wapungskur and Bataw villages, except at polling stations for voting purposes.
In another development, no voters in Thangnub village, located in the Saipung Nongkhlieh constituency, participated in the election.
Reports indicate that the village residents boycotted the election in protest of the recent delimitation of constituencies, as Thangnub was previously part of the Sutnga Nongkhlieh constituency.
Although the final voter turnout for the Jaintia Hills region is still being compiled, preliminary data from West Jaintia Hills suggests an impressive 84.36% turnout.
With 158 candidates vying for the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) seats and 114 candidates competing for the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) seats, the election witnessed intense competition.
The results will be announced after the vote counting, scheduled for February 24.
