Counting to take place at ISBT instead of Polo Ground
Shillong, Jan 24: East Khasi Hills, the district with highest number of constituencies under Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), has geared up to ensure free and fair conduct of ADC elections in the district.
Of the 15 KHADC constituencies, filing of nominations for 10 constituencies will take place at Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Mawiong. For Nonspung, Sohiong and Sohryngkham constituencies, nominations will be taken at DC office, Shillong while that of Pynursla and Langkyrdem, it will be held at SDO Civil Pynursla.
The counting of votes for all the 15 constituencies in the district will be held at ISBT instead of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Polo.
Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah said the decision to shift the counting venue from Polo to ISBT was taken due to several reasons, including reopening of schools, commencing of board examinations and traffic congestion.
Meanwhile, filing of claims and objections for enrolment in the electoral rolls was completed on January 22 and the final electoral rolls will be released on January 27.
The new electoral rolls will be handed over to all political parties, the DC said.
She informed that two rounds of training for ROs and AROs and also with political parties have been conducted so far.
Further, the DC said law and order situation in the district is by and large peaceful except in Mawkynrew area which is still under curfew due to the recent violent protest over the construction of a school.
“It is under curfew. One particular location is the Ramakrishan school and that will be resolved very soon,” she assured.
Announcing that the model code of conduct (MCC) will come into force from January 27, Kurbah said, “We are issuing prohibitory orders to ensure there is no violation of the MCC. Any violation of the MCC will be addressed by the DC and RO.”
She informed that the ceiling of expenditure for the candidates is ₹5 lakh and security deposit is ₹3000.
All contesting candidates will require permission from the DC’s office, SDO office for holding any public meeting, processions and rallies. Permission is also necessary for use of loud speakers.
“No one without a valid pass from the returning officers concerned shall be allowed to enter any polling booth,” the DC said.
“Carrying of cash in excess of ₹50,000 is prohibited. However, business people who carry cash over ₹50,000 have already applied along with all relevant documents. We have also issued orders for people to deposit their arms,” she said.
Meanwhile, all the EVMs to be used in the ADC elections have been kept at ISBT.
“Once commissioned, the EVMs will be kept in strong rooms in ISBT,” she said.
The dates for distribution of EVMs to various polling stations of KHADC and JHADC will be notified on Monday.
The list of symbols of contesting political parties will also be readied soon and shared with the parties.
