Synopsis
In Meghalaya, over 70% of 1.3 million voters participated in two key tribal autonomous district council elections, with peaceful voting marred by minor violence. Repolling is set for four stations due to vandalism, with major contenders being NPP and VPP. Vote counting is scheduled for February 24.Key Takeaways
- Over 70% voter turnout in council elections
- Minor violence reported at polling stations
- Repolling ordered in four locations
- Security forces deployed to ensure peaceful voting
- Main political contenders are NPP and VPP
Shillong, Feb 22 (NationPress) Over 70 percent of the 1.3 million voters participated in the elections for two significant tribal autonomous district councils in Meghalaya on Friday, with the voting process proceeding smoothly despite some isolated incidents of violence, as reported by officials.
The elections took place across 29 constituencies in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and 29 constituencies in the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), both of which are influential tribal autonomous institutions established under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
According to officials, the polling was disrupted when unidentified individuals vandalized four polling stations, damaging Electronic Voting Machines and causing clashes between supporters of two rival political factions.
C.V.D. Diengdoh, who serves as the Commissioner and Secretary to the District Council Affairs Department, indicated that due to these occurrences, repolling has been mandated in four polling locations, with fresh voting scheduled for Saturday.
Election officials reported that out of over 1.3 million voters, including 676,467 women, more than 70 percent cast their votes, influencing the outcome for 158 candidates in the KHADC election and 114 candidates in the JHADC election.
Starting at 7 a.m., voters, both men and women, cast their ballots in 1,798 polling stations in the KHADC and 483 polling stations in the JHADC.
In light of various circumstances and law enforcement concerns, 129 polling stations have been classified as vulnerable and critical within the KHADC areas, alongside 95 in the JHADC.
Officials announced that a substantial number of security personnel are present in both council regions to ensure that the elections are conducted fairly, freely, and smoothly.
The vote counting is set to occur on Monday (February 24).
The primary electoral contenders in these two tribal autonomous districts include the National People's Party (NPP), led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the Voice of People's Party (VPP), the United Democratic Party, and the Congress.
However, the main competition in both the KHADC and JHADC is anticipated to be between the NPP and the VPP.
Similar to Assam, Mizoram, and Tripura, Meghalaya is home to three such tribal autonomous entities under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, aimed at enhancing the socio-economic, traditional, and cultural facets of tribal communities.
In addition to the KHADC and JHADC, the third autonomous body in Meghalaya is the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council.
