Shillong, Feb 4: A total of 272 candidates are contesting the upcoming elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), scheduled for February 21. The counting of votes will take place on February 24. However, the number of women in the fray remains significantly low, with only 19 female candidates compared to 253 male candidates.
For KHADC, 158 candidates, including 146 men and 12 women, are contesting. The highest number of contestants comes from East Khasi Hills, where 83 candidates—77 males and 6 females—are vying for seats across 15 district council constituencies. Ri-Bhoi has 26 candidates, comprising 23 men and 3 women, while West Khasi Hills has 18 male candidates and just one female. Sohra SDO’s jurisdiction has 10 candidates, with only one woman. Eastern West Khasi Hills has 9 candidates, of whom 8 are male. Notably, South West Khasi Hills has no female candidates, with all 11 contenders being men.
In JHADC, Amlarem SDO has no female candidates among its 12 contenders. West Jaintia Hills has 60 candidates, including 57 men and 3 women. East Jaintia Hills has 42 candidates, with 38 males and 4 females.
The estimated expenditure for conducting the elections to KHADC and JHADC is Rs 22 crore, official sources informed. Chief Secretary D.P. Wahlang has reviewed election preparedness in a meeting with all deputy commissioners and sub-divisional officers.