SHILLONG: The GHADC (Garo Hills Autonomous District Council) polls underway in Meghalaya today.
Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma took to his Twitter handle and wrote, "The poll to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council is underway. Cast my vote in one of the polling stations in #WestGaroHills. I once again stress on those eligible to vote to ensure they exercise their right today."
The poll will elect 29 out of the 30 members of the District Council (MDCs). The total number of candidates contesting the GHADC elections is 182 which includes 174 males and eight female candidates.
According to the District Council Affairs Department, there are 7, 43, 717 voters of which – 3, 74, 441 are males and 3, 69, 276 are females. Also, there are 953 polling stations spread over the 29 constituencies.
Tura Constituency has the highest number of voters with 59, 816 and Rongrikimgre has the least number of 13, 983 voters.
On the other hand, Balachanda Constituency has the most number of 13 contestants. The ruling National People's Party (NPP) and the Opposition Congress have put up candidates in all the 29 MDC seats, the United Democratic Party (UDP in 15 seats and the BJP in 20 seats.
For the NPP, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma led a high-pitched campaign. The Chief Minister has been camping in Garo Hills for almost three weeks. The Congress campaign also less in grandeur than their rivals was led by the leader of opposition Dr. MukulSangma.
For the UDP, party president, and Meghalaya Assembly Speaker, MetbahLyngdoh campaigned for his candidates. For the BJP, Health Minister AL Hek and South Shillong MLA SanborShullai campaigned for their candidates.
Meanwhile, the pressure groups in Garo Hills are against non-tribals participation in the district council election.
Moreover, the West Garo Hills district administration informed that polling personnel for 352 polling stations has left for their respective polling stations in 13 constituencies under the district on Sunday. The remaining polling officials for 57 polling stations left for their respective polling stations located closer to the district headquarters today morning.
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