After nearly one month of acrimonious campaigning, elections to the autonomous district councils in Khasi and Jaintia Hills will be held tomorrow.
Voting will begin at 7 am and conclude at 4 pm.
The two ADCs together have a total of 13,08,818 eligible voters, with 9,96,518 voters from KHADC (including 5,15,247 females, 4,81,268 males and three third gender individuals) and 3,12,300 voters from JHADC (comprising 1,61,220 females, 1,51,079 males and one third gender voter).
The largest constituency in Khasi Hills is Mawlai, with 49,841 voters—26,998 female and 22,843 male. The smallest is Jaiaw, with 17,148 voters.
In Jaintia Hills, the largest polling station is Muthlong-Sohkymphor, with 14,167 voters, while the smallest is Sumer, with 8,305.
Ten general observers will oversee proceedings. There are approximately 110 sensitive polling stations in Khasi Hills and 95 in Jaintia Hills. Khasi Hills has a total of 1,669 polling stations, while Jaintia Hills has 477.
There are 158 candidates for the KHADC seats and 114 for the JHADC.
The term of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) was supposed to end in March 2024.
However, due to the delimitation of constituencies, the term was extended twice for six months each.
Meanwhile, Ri Bhoi Additional Deputy Commissioner Balakyntiew Ranee informed that a total of 331 polling stations have been set up across five constituencies in Ri-Bhoi. Of these, 16 areas have been identified as vulnerable, while 14 areas have been classified as critical. To maintain law and order, the district police have deployed stringent security measures, with personnel stationed at sensitive locations.
The Eastern West Khasi Hills district administration has announced the arrival of the General Observer, Dikki D Shira, appointed by the District Council Affairs Department.
Political parties, candidates, election agents, and the public within Eastern West Khasi Hills are notified that Shira is available to address any election-related queries, complaints, or requests for information via mobile phone at 9856078607. Shira will be available at the Circuit House in Mairang, daily from 10am to 4pm.