Shillong: A total of 272 candidates for the Khasi and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Councils (KHADC and JHADC) have been confirmed for the February 21 elections.
This was confirmed after the nomination window closed, scrutiny of candidates was conducted and withdrawal of nominees completed.
There is a total of 158 candidates for the KHADC seats and 114 for the JHADC. They will be chasing the votes of 13,08,818 eligible voters, with 9,96,518 voters under the KHADC (including 5,15,247 females, 4,81,268 males and three third gender individuals) and 3,12,300 voters under the JHADC (comprising 1,61,220 females, 1,51,079 males and one third gender voter).
The final list of valid nominations and symbol allotments will be confirmed on February 6. Voting will take place on February 21 and the counting of votes is scheduled for February 24.
There are 19 female candidates of which 12 from the KHADC and seven from the JHADC.
Commissioner & Secretary in-charge District Council Affairs (DCA) department Cyril Diengdoh also informed reporters that the government has estimated an amount over Rs 22 crore for elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).