Shillong: The nomination process for the elections to the Khasi and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Councils (KHADC and JHADC) came to a close today at 3 pm, with outgoing KHADC Chief Executive Member Pyniaid Sing Syiem of the National People’s Party (NPP) filing his nomination papers for the Nongthymmai constituency at the last minute.
Syiem, who is the current MDC for Sohryngkham, explained that he decided to switch seats as he is a resident of Nongthymmai constituency and has received the support of the late Latiplang Kharkongor’s family. Kharkongor was the incumbent Nongthymmai MDC who passed away a few months before the election.
Meanwhile, two BJP candidates, Rodney Syngkli and Manin Raja, filed their nominations for the Umsning and Nongpoh constituencies, respectively. They emphasized the benefits of having a BJP-led government at the national level, which would facilitate the implementation of various initiatives beneficial to the people of Meghalaya.
Amanda Pakyntein, the wife of sitting MLA and former cabinet minister Banteidor Lyngdoh, filed her nomination papers for the Mawkynrew seat in East Khasi Hills on an NPP ticket. She promised to bring development to the constituency and work towards strengthening the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate for Sohiong-Nongspung, Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah, also filed his nomination papers.
The two ADCs have a total of 13,08,818 eligible voters, with 9,96,518 voters from KHADC and 3,12,300 voters from JHADC. There will be 2,146 polling stations across both councils.
The nomination period, which began on January 27, was followed by the scrutiny of nominations. The last date to withdraw names from the fray is tomorrow. The final list of valid nominations and symbol allotments will be confirmed on February 6. Voting will take place on February 21, and the counting of votes is scheduled for February 24.
In Ri-Bhoi, 26 candidates from the five constituencies of the district will contest the MDC election, while in West Jaintia Hills, there are 73 candidates for the 19 seats.