The nomination process for the upcoming Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) elections is coming to a close, with the deadline being Monday.
In the final stretch, numerous candidates from various political parties, as well as independent contenders, submitted their nominations on Saturday.
The elections for both councils are scheduled for February 21, with the vote counting set for February 24.
Former journalist John Wilson Thabah who is contesting the KHADC polls from Sohra constituency from the Voice of the People Party (VPP) filed his nominations on Saturday.
Independent candidate and sitting MDC Lambor Malngiang from the Nongkrem constituency stated that his decision to contest the autonomous district council election was made with the consultation and support of his well-wishers.
He claimed that he is not running against the VPP candidate from Nongkrem but rather against its president, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit.
Malngiang expressed the need to strengthen the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, noting that Article 371 could undermine the autonomy of the district council and grant more power to the state government.
He referenced a resolution from 2015, brought by the VPP president in the assembly, which claimed that the presence of traditional leaders—Doloi, Syiem, and Rangbah Shnong—hinders development.
Malngiang insisted that without these traditional heads and institutions, the community would lose its way, emphasizing the importance of reinforcing these entities.
Meanwhile, Mawlai MDC Teibor Pathaw recalled that in 2019, he was elected as an independent candidate before joining other political parties.
This time, his supporters have urged him to quit the NPP and run again as an independent candidate. He commented that a political party is simply a uniform, but an individual’s performance is what truly matters.
Pathaw emphasized that he has served his constituency for six years, and ultimately, it will be the people who decide the value of his work.
NPP candidate and sitting MDC from Mawsynram, Alvin Sawkmie noted that the NPP-led Executive Committee in the KHADC had approved numerous bills benefiting the indigenous people of the state.
Sawkmie also highlighted the importance of following up on the 125th amendment and direct funding for the councils to foster development.
Former MDC of Laban-Mawprem, Ricky Shullai, who is also the nephew of the current MLA for South Shillong, Sanbor Shullai, mentioned that he was elected under the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 2015-16 before switching to the United Democratic Party (UDP) in 2018.
Shullai noted that he was defeated by just 19 votes when he contested the council election in 2019 as a UDP candidate.
“I remained loyal to the UDP until this election, but they have asked me to support the candidate they selected for Laban-Mawprem. I cannot endorse their candidate because the people have a different preference, so I have decided to run as an independent candidate with the blessing of my supporters,” he stated.
Daniella Nonglait from the BJP, contesting in Mawlai Constituency, raised concerns about the lack of women representatives in the district council.
Another BJP candidate, Kynsaibor Lyngdoh, who filed his nomination from the Malki-Laitumkhrah constituency, emphasized the need for an anti-defection law in the district council.
Fairlock D. Ryngksai, another BJP candidate from the Nongthymmai constituency, also submitted his nomination on Saturday.
Congress candidate George C. Sunn from the Mawphlang-Diengiei constituency expressed his intention to contest the elections to preserve the unique land system and traditional governance of the region.
In Ri Bhoi, Aiban Nongsiej contesting for the Mawhati constituency from the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) filed his nomination papers. He said his primary objective is to safeguard the rights of the tribal community. He stressed the need for enacting key legislations within the KHADC to further protect and uphold the interests of the indigenous people.
In West Jaintia Hills, VPP candidate Awhai Andrew Shullai and Independent candidate Khroo L Pariat filed their nominations to contest for the North Jowai seat of the JHADC.
Altogether seven candidates filed their nominations in East Jaintia Hills that included Manbha Lyngdoh of the BJP for the Muthlong Sohkymphor constituency, Independent candidate Kyrshan Dkhar for Tuber Wapungshnong constituency, Violet Lyngdoh (Ind) for Rymbai Khliehriat constituency, Arbor Hima Darnei (NPP) for Saipung Nongkhlieh, Desous Pohshna (Ind) for Narpuh constituency, Marshall Biam (Ind) and Joinriwell Pyrtuh (UDP), both for Bataw Lakadong constituency.
