Meghalaya gears up for Autonomous District Council polls

Newmai News Network

Shillong | February 1

The upcoming elections to two of the three Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Meghalaya, namely the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) has got the state on its toes with the model code of conduct scheduled to come into effect on Saturday.

“The model code of conduct will commence once the notification for the district council polls will be issued tomorrow,” Commissioner & Secretary of District Council Affairs (DCA) Tining Dkhar said on Friday.

Dkhar said the last date for filing of nominations will be on February 7 which will be followed by scrutiny of nomination papers on February 8 and last date of withdrawal of nominations on February 9.

The date of polling will be held on February 27 and the results will be declared on March 2.

Informing that Rs 10.78 crore has been estimated as expenditure cost for holding the council polls, he said the amount will be adjusted from the royalty share of the two district councils – KHADC and JHADC. 

Dkhar informed that the department has also brought amendments related to the election expenditure by the candidates of the different political parties and that this has been approved by the Governor.

“We have raised the security deposit from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 while for election expenditure it has been increased to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 2.50 lakh per candidate,” he said.

Asked about the measures to curb the use of money power to woo voters, the Commissioner & Secretary said that the deputy commissioners who are also the returning officers have been asked to strictly enforced the model code of conduct.

“Carrying of cash in excess of Rs 50,000 by contesting candidates or their supporters is prohibited. The ROs on receiving reliable information against violation of the code of conduct should take immediate action,” he said.

He said fresh release of funds under MLA or MP schemes, issue of work order by the ADCs, inauguration, laying of foundation, announcement of new schemes have been kept on hold till the elections are over.

Dkhar however said issue of tender works and construction of central or state sponsored programme have been exempted.

On the security aspect to ensure free and fair conduct of elections, the senior government official informed that the matter will be discussed in a review meeting on the state preparedness to hold the ADC polls on February 11. The meeting will be chaired by chief secretary Y Tsering in the presence of Director General of Police (DGP) R Chandranathan.

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