Shillong: The nomination process for the upcoming elections to the Khasi and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Councils (KHADC and JHADC) in Meghalaya has officially closed, with a total of 259 candidates filing their nominations.
The process culminated on the last day with outgoing KHADC Chief Executive Member, Pyniaid Sing Syiem of the National People’s Party (NPP), submitting his candidacy for the Nongthymmai constituency.
Syiem, who currently serves as the Member of District Council (MDC) for Sohryngkham, explained that his decision to contest from Nongthymmai was influenced by his residency in the constituency and his desire to honour the legacy of the late Latiplang Kharkongor, the previous MDC of Nongthymmai, who passed away a few months ago.
“I consulted with the family of the late Kharkongor, and they gave their blessings, which affirmed my decision to run here,” Syiem said.
He dismissed concerns about anti-incumbency affecting the ruling NPP, which governs both the KHADC and JHADC as well as the state.
Syiem also challenged predictions that the Voice of the People Party (VPP) would perform well in its debut district council elections.
He argued that the VPP had failed to deliver on its promises made during state and Lok Sabha elections, leading to disappointment among the electorate.
In Ri-Bhoi, two candidates from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) filed their nominations on the final day.
Rodney Syngkli is contesting from the Umsning constituency, while Manin Raja is running for the Nongpoh seat.
Accompanied by party leaders and supporters, both candidates emphasized that their election would benefit Meghalaya, with the BJP-led government at the national level facilitating key initiatives for the region.
Amanda Pakyntein, the wife of sitting MLA and former cabinet minister Banteidor Lyngdoh, also filed her nomination for the Mawkynrew seat in East Khasi Hills, running on an NPP ticket.
Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah, the United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate for Sohiong-Nongspung, also filed his nomination.
The nomination process began on January 27 and concluded today, followed by the scrutiny of nominations. Candidates have until tomorrow to withdraw their nominations.
The final list of valid candidates and their symbol allotments will be confirmed on February 6. Voting is scheduled for February 21, with the results to be counted on February 24.
In Ri-Bhoi, after the nomination scrutiny, it was confirmed that a total of 26 candidates from five constituencies will contest in the MDC election, with all nominations accepted.
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In West Jaintia Hills, 73 candidates are vying for 19 seats, including 19 from the NPP, 19 from the VPP, 12 from Congress, 11 from UDP, 2 from the BJP, and 10 independents.
As the election draws closer, the total number of eligible voters across the two councils stands at 1,308,818.
Of these, 996,518 are voters from the KHADC (including 515,247 females, 481,268 males, and three third-gender individuals), and 312,300 are from the JHADC (comprising 161,220 females, 151,079 males, and one third-gender voter).
The elections will be held across 2,146 polling stations, with 1,669 in the KHADC and 477 in the JHADC.
