Shillong, Mar 6: Fourth-time member of the United Democratic Party (UDP) from Shella constituency, Teiñwell Dkhar and NPP member from Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah constituency, Pynshngaiñlang N Syiem have been elected unopposed to the post of Chief Executive Member (CEM) and Chairman of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) after the opposition Congress decided not to contest the elections for the two posts.

The Congress lacks number as it has only 10 members in the Council.

Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) leader, Lamphrang Blah said that the Congress decided not to contest the elections to both the posts because the party has no number, and would play the constructive role as opposition members.

Dkhar and Syiem filed their nomination papers for the post of CEM and Chairman respectively before the KHADC secretary (legislative), M. Kharkrang on Wednesday after the oath taking of all the newly elected 29 members of the Council.

Though the elections to the post of Chairman and CEM of the Council were fixed on Thursday at 11 am and 2 pm respectively, however both Dkhar and Syiem stood elected without any contest.

East Khasi Hills district Deputy Commissioner, Matsiewdor W Nongbri will announce the name of Syiem for the post of Chairman on Thursday at 11 am.

Similarly, Syiem after taking over as the new Chairman of the Council will also announce the name of Dkhar as the new CEM of the Council at 2 pm.

Syiem and Dkhar were proposed as candidates for the post of Chairman and CEM, by members of the Council who formed the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the KHADC.

The UDA comprised of the United Democratic Party (UDP), National People’s Party (NPP), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), People’s Democratic Front and Independents.

The UDA has a total strength of 19 members which include UDP (7), NPP (7), HSPDP (2), PDF (1) and Independent (2).