The readjustment of constituencies under the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is likely to take more time and may lead to delay in holding of elections to the council this year.
According to sources, the select committee of KHADC would reexamine the entire proposals of the delimitation committee and come up with its own report.
The select committee which was constituted on July 10 is headed by KHADC Deputy Chief Executive Member Pynshngain N. Syiem as the chairman and includes Titosstarwell Chyne, Jambor War, Bindo Lanong and Lambor Malngiang as members. The secretary (legislative) of KHADC is the member secretary of the committee.
The select committee is yet to meet. After the committee comes up with its report, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Constitution of District Councils) (Amendment) Rules 2024 will be placed in the House so that it becomes an Act and elections can be held as per the recommendations of the delimitation committee.
KHADC elections will be held on the basis of the amendment rules related to delimitation of constituencies but it is for the State government to decide when the election to the KHADC will be held.
Further, the select committee is now faced with new challenges following the stiff opposition by residents of Mawlai Mawroh to the proposal to tag them with Jaiaw constituency.
Mawlai Mawroh so far is part of Mawlai constituency. However, the delimitation committee in its proposal decided to bring the entire village under Jaiaw constituency in order to bring a balance to the number of voters in both the constituencies.
It may be mentioned that the KHADC had constituted the delimitation committee through a notification issued on October 20, 2023.
The delimitation committee submitted its report to the executive committee of KHADC on July 8 with recommendations to readjust the number of voters in a number of constituencies.
Due to the delimitation exercise, the tenure of the present house in KHADC which was supposed to end in March 2024 was extended for a period of six months.
