Meghalaya: Elections to KHADC and JHADC Announced: Model Code of Conduct Comes into Effect

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar has declared the dates for the polls for Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC). Elections are to be conducted on February 21 and with this declaration, the model code of conduct has kicked in.

This year's elections are remarkable in that there are more female voters than males, indicating a drastic change in the composition of voters.  In the KHADC, there are 9,96,518 registered voters in total, including 5,15,247 females, 4,81,268 males, and three third-gender voters.

The JHADC has 3,12,300 voters in total, consisting of 1,61,220 females, 1,51,079 males, and one third-gender voter. Mawlai constituency in the KHADC has the highest number of voters, which has 26,998 females and 22,843 males, and Laban-Mawprem has the lowest, with 9,321 females and 7,243 males. For the sake of easy conduction of election, 2,146 polling stations have been designed, of which 1,669 are of the KHADC and 477 of the JHADC.

To ensure free and fair elections, East Khasi Hills District Magistrate RM Kurbah has issued several directives under the model code of conduct. One of the key measures is the restriction on carrying cash above ₹50,000 by any individual or group, a rule that will remain in effect until February 24. Public agitations, including hunger strikes, processions, and rallies, have also been prohibited to maintain law and order during the election period. All licensed arms holders have been directed to hand over their weapons at the nearest police stations, outposts, or beat houses.

There are tight restrictions also for preventing any kind of defacement on public or private property. Candidates and political parties are not allowed to display banners, cutouts, or hoardings on private property without prior written permission from the property owners and final authority from the District Magistrate.

Use of public address systems has also been prohibited between 10 PM and 6 AM, and rallies or processions are allowed only after getting prior permission from the District Magistrate. These measures are a testimony to the administration's commitment to holding peaceful and fair elections and that the process of election must not be allowed to get hampered in any way.

With a probable surge in female voters and a healthy regulatory structure in place, the elections to the KHADC and JHADC are all set to witness a dynamic and democratic campaign that will synonymously reflect the vibrant electoral culture of the region.

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