KHADC records 60% voter turnout, JHADC at 70% till 3pm, repoll ordered in 4 polling stations in East Jaintia Hills

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 21, 2025

The District Council Affairs (DCA) department on Friday ordered repoll in four polling stations under two constituencies in East Jaintia Hills district after an unidentified mob forcefully entered and damaged the electronic voting machines (EVMs).

The repoll will be held on Saturday from 7 am to 4pm amid tight security arrangements.

The poll percentage in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) was recorded at 60 per cent and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) at 70 percent as of 3 pm.

Announcing the decision of the department, Commissioner & Secretary in-charge DCA Cyril Diengdoh said, “The DCA has ordered a repoll in the four polling stations in the two JHADC constituencies in East Jaintia Hills district. The repoll will be held tomorrow from 7am to 4pm.”

The polling stations, which will go for repoll include Wapung Skur A and Wapung Skur B under Musniang-Rangad constituency and Bataw A and Bataw B under Bataw-Lakadong constituency. All the four polling stations were identified as vulnerable/critical polling stations.

Diengdoh said the decision was taken after reports were received that an unidentified mob had forcefully entered the four polling stations and damaged the EVMs.

According to him, the exact reason behind the mob attacking the polling stations will need further inquiry and report.

“As of now because of damage to EVMs, the rules allow us to have a repoll as per rule 143 B. If there is a violence and damage to EVMs, we have ordered repoll in the interest of free and fair election and repoll will happen tomorrow,” he stated.

Asked, Diengdoh said, “The security personnel were present but this was a group of mob so the mob has overwhelmed them and in fact the polling parties were also rushed to the nearest medical centre as they were also afraid etc. However, the district administration is taking due care and there is no report of injury to anyone. All our people are safe except that the EVMs were damaged.”

Further, the DCA official informed that the deputy commissioner and SP of the district have reviewed the preparation for conducting of repoll in the four polling stations.

“Steps have been taken by the district administration, the DC and SP. Additional forces have been deployed and ADMs will be deployed. DC will take all necessary steps to ensure adequate security personnel are deployed and new polling personnel are being sent to these polling stations so that confidence is built up and the appeal from the department is that people should be aware repoll is happening and everyone should come out and vote,” he said.

If an FIR has been registered, Diengdoh said that the DC will take necessary action.

Meanwhile, the commissioner & secretary informed that polling percentage in KHADC has been recorded at 60 percent and JHADC at 70 percent as of 3pm.

“This is cumulative for all constituencies. We are still compiling the overall poll percentage and it will be shared later in the evening,” he said.

He also informed, “In KHADC, the polling parties have left their polling stations and are on the way to the receiving stations. Some of them have also arrived at the receiving centres.”

“In all the districts of the KHADC, there was no report of incidents of violence or any issues. The poll was conducted peacefully in all the districts,” he added.