North Cachar Hills gearing up for council elections

Haflong, Nov 20 (UNI) The North Cachar hills district council is gearing up for the District Council Elections to be held on December one amid the fear of renewed violence.

Consequently, the election campaigns have been low-key and most of the big players of the state politics have not yet entered the district with the elections just nine days away.

North Cachar Hills Deputy Commissioner, Returning Officer Anil Kumar Baruah and Election Officer L Zovi Nampui held several meetings with candidates, political parties, apex bodies of various communities, Zonal Magistrates and Sector Officers of both the civil and police administration and departmental heads for smooth conduct of the poll process.

The elections to the Lower Kharthong constituency was countermanded following the murder of Congress candidate Darbiekthoum Hmar on November three.

Altogether 78 candidates are in the fray for 27 constituencies of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council.

Out of these, 27 candidates are from the Indian National Congress, 17 candidates from the ASDC, 10 candidates from BJP and remaining 24 candidates are Independents. The highest number of candidates - five - are contesting from the Garampani constiuency.

Significantly, two women candidates are contesting the Council elections this time - one from the BJP and the other an Independent candidate.

For smooth and proper management of the polls, the district has been divided into six Civil and Police Zones and 51 Civil and Police Sectors.

The total number of polling stations is 157, out of which 59 are very sensitive, 54 are sensitive and 44 are comparatively safe polling stations.

Out of these 157 polling stations, four are under Lower Kharthong constituencies where the polls have been countermanded.

Around 54 polling stations fell under Haflong police station, 33 under Umrongso police station, 37 under Maibang police Station and 33 under Mahur police station respectively.

The total number of electors is 1,11,383. The Constituency with highest number of electors is 1-Haflong with 16,775 electors while the constituency with lowest number of electors is 28-Semkhor with 1,193 electors.

Out of the 28 constituencies of the NCHAC, in the eight constituencies of Barail, Laisong, Maibang East, Maibang West, Langting, Kharthong, Gunjung and Dihamlai, female voters are more in number than the male voters.

The first phase of the polls for 15 constituencies will be held on November 26 and second phase for 12 constituencies will be held on December one. The counting of votes will be held on December four at Haflong, while the oath taking ceremony of the newly-elected members of the council will be held on December seven.

UNI