Model Code of Conduct to take effect from January 27

Shillong, Jan 24: The district administration of East Khasi Hills has geared up its preparation for the ensuring free, fair and peaceful conduct of elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) in 15 constituencies under its jurisdiction.

Addressing media persons on Friday, deputy commissioner RM Kurbah informed that the conduct of elections will be held at the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Mawiong instead of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Polo.

“Out of the 15 KHADC constituencies, filing of nominations by candidates from 10 constituencies will be taken place at ISBT, Mawiong, three – Nonspung, Sohiong and Sohryngkham – will be at the DC’s office, Shillong and two  Pynursla and Langkyrdem – at the office of the SDO Civil Pynursla. However , counting for all 15 constituencies will be held at ISBT only,” she said.

The DC has cited reopening of schools, commencing of board examinations and traffic congestion as the reason for the decision to shift the conduct of elections to ISBT, Mawiong.

She also informed that the period of filing of claims and objections for enrolment in the electoral rolls has already been completed on January 22 and the final electoral rolls will be released on January 27 and the same will be handed over to all political parties. Also, two rounds of training for the ROs and AROs and also with the political parties have been conducted.

Further, the DC said the law and order situation in the district is by and large peaceful except in one pocket. According to her, Mawkynrew village 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 Rs 5 lakh and security deposit is Rs 3000.

“All contesting candidates will require permission from the DC’s office, SDO office for holding any public meeting, processions and rallies. That also includes the use of loud speakers. For entering a polling booth, no one without a valid pass from the returning officers’ concerned shall be allowed to enter,” the DC said while adding “Carrying of cash in excess of Rs 50000 is prohibited. However, business people who carry cash more than Rs 50,000 have already applied along with all relevant documents. We have also issued orders for people to deposit their arms.”

In regards to the commissioning of the EVMs, the DC informed “All the EVMs are there in ISBT which as of today is a warehouse because it contains the EVMs of other districts too but once we commissioned the EVMs we will keep them in the strong rooms in ISBT itself and from there we will distribute to the different polling stations on the date to be notified on Monday.”

“We also have the list of symbols which will be getting soon and this will be shared with the political parties,” she added.

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