Candidate Allegedly Campaigns Beyond Meghalaya's Borders Ahead of JHADC Elections

Correspondent

Shillong: As Meghalaya prepares for the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) elections on February 21, reports have surfaced of a candidate allegedly campaigning beyond state boundaries, deep inside Assam’s territory. The candidate, along with supporters, purportedly traveled 25 kilometres into West Karbi Anglong district, a disputed area along the Assam-Meghalaya border, to canvass among the local population.

Commissioner and Secretary in-charge of District Council Affairs (DCA) Department, Cyril Diengdoh, clarified that electioneering must remain within designated constituency boundaries. “Campaigning will happen as per the constituency boundary. The number of polling stations and villages has already been notified. The draft and final rolls were published, and only minimal amendments were made during delimitation,” he stated.

Regarding the allegations of cross-border campaigning, Diengdoh noted, “Whatever you are saying, we need to verify.” He further emphasized that as per the Model Code of Conduct, candidates must obtain prior permission from the returning officer and Deputy Commissioner for any public meetings, rallies, or processions. “The Deputy Commissioner is fully aware of where permissions are granted. There is a system in place during elections,” he added. Allegations suggest that the candidate contesting the JHADC elections entered Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district with supporters to campaign. The region, near the Assam-Meghalaya interstate border, has long been a subject of dispute between the two states.

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