VPP demands independent inquiry into alleged failure of govt to conduct free & fair of JHADC polls

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 14, 2025

The opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Monday demanded an independent and time-bound inquiry into the alleged failure of the state government and the district administration in ensuring a free and fair conduct of the election to the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) on February 21, earlier this year. 

In a letter to the chief secretary DP Wahlang, VPP general secretary and Shillong MP Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon said, “(We) earnestly urge your good office to: i. Initiate an independent and time-bound inquiry into the entire sequence of events leading up to and during the polling on 21st February 2025 in Wapung Skur A and B, Bataw A and B and other incidents in other polling stations and as to why no steps were taken to provide adequate security to ensure conduct of free and fair elections in the two Jaintia Hills Districts; ii. Hold accountable those responsible for security lapses and failure to act despite prior intimation and warnings; iii. Ensure that future elections are conducted in a free, fair, and secure environment for all citizens and parties alike.”

Syngkon said prior to the polling date, based on inputs received from the ground, the Voice of the People Party had identified several polling stations within the constituencies as sensitive and highly sensitive. 

In order to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election process, the Party had on February 14 requested the District Election Officer, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai and the District Election Officer, West Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat to make adequate security arrangements respectively, he said adding this request was to prevent any attempts to intimidate voters, booth capture, or any activity that could potentially disrupt the electoral process.

He alleged:”That despite prior intimation and specific request, no sufficient preventive action was taken by the District Election Officer to ensure adequate security in these sensitive areas. That on the day of polling on21st February 2025, many incidents of booth capturing and booth rigging took place in many polling stations in the two districts of East and West Jaintia Hills. That the limited officials in the polling stations were helpless, in the absence of adequate security, which ultimately has affected the conduct of free and fair election process.”

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Syngkon stated in his letter that two particular incidents occurred, whereby groups of miscreates forcefully entered the polling stations and committed the act of vandalism and damaging of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) in four polling stations under two constituencies in East Jaintia Hills district), thereby halting the polling process.

He said the incident(s) had led to the repolling in the four polling stations – Wapung Skur A and Wapung Skur B under Musniang-Rangad constituency and Bataw A and Bataw B under Bataw-Lakadong constituency

Further compounding the situation, he alleged that the Election Agents of the Voice of the People Party were not allowed to enter the polling stations by musclemen of the other contesting parties, thereby effectively preventing VPP representatives from observing or reporting on the process.

To safeguard the democratic rights of the voters, VPP had vide letter dated February 21, urgently requested the Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, to provide adequate security to the residents of Wapung Skur during the re-polling scheduled for February 22.

He said despite the party informing the authorities about the sensitivity of these polling stations, no substantial steps were taken to prevent or mitigate these violent disruptions, affecting the free and fair conduct of elections.

“That the above events represent a serious breakdown in our democratic process and raise grave concerns over the integrity of the election conducted by the State Government. That the lack of timely response from responsible authorities of the State Government has not only compromised the free and fair conduct of the election but has also shaken public confidence in the electoral machinery, not to mention the outcome of the election results,” Syngkon stated in the letter.

It may be mentioned here that the VPP has won only 8 seats in the JHADC polls. 

Repoll in 4 PS held peacefully, overall voter turnout in JHADC at 85.58%, KHADC 76.77%