Shillong, Feb 1: The state government has given its go ahead to the decision, taken by any dorbar shnong, to allow only one common platform for political parties to campaign for the upcoming autonomous district council (ADC) elections.
Traditional dorbar shnong that had decided to permit only a common platform for public meeting of political parties and independent candidates are allowed to do so, stated the District Council Affairs (DCA) department in its order issued on Friday.
In its earlier order issued on Thursday, the department had instructed all deputy commissioners to request the headman/dorbar shnong to allow public meetings of all political parties including independent candidates for free and fair conduct of the election.
Earlier, Mawlai Town Dorbar and the candidates from Mawlai constituency in East Khasi Hills district had decided to hold their campaigns from common platforms. According to the Mawlai Dorbar, the initiative was taken with the aim of ensuring a distraction-free election for student voters, as the election period coincides with Board and University examinations.
In the latest order issued on Friday, the DCA department said, “It is hereby further clarified that those headman/dorbar shnong that had decided to permit only common platform for public meeting of political parties and independent candidates are allowed to do so.”
Copy of the order was sent to all the District Election Officers (DEOs) and Returning Officers (ROs) of East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, Eastern West Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, East Jaintia Hills and West Jaintia Hills and the Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) of Amlarem, Pynursla, Patharkhmah, Mawshynrut and Ranikor for necessary compliance, stated an official release.
