By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A total of nine candidates are in the fray for the post of president of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), Meghalaya Unit, election to which is scheduled to be held from February 24 to 27.
Besides Congress MLA from Nangbah Wahiajer constituency Sniawbhalang Dhar, the other candidates who is contesting for the post of president include Banangsan Tynsong from Pynursla, Dipul Roy Ryntathiang from Umsning, Gabriel Wahlang from Nongstoin, Hamdren Lawai from Mawkynrew, Jlan kupar Roy Rambrai from Jowai and Richard M Marak from Salmanpara in Garo Hills.
Meanwhile, a total number of 12 candidates have filed their nomination to the election for the membership to the Shillong Parliamentary seat while a total number of four candidates have filed their nomination to the election for the membership of the Tura Parliamentary seat.
As per the IYC website, it has been stated that the last date for filing of nominations for the various posts of the State unit is February 9 while the scrutiny of the nominations and withdrawal had been fixed on February 10.
As per the new election guidelines of the IYC, the candidate who gets the highest number of votes would be elected as the president of the IYC Meghalaya Unit. The candidate securing the second highest number of votes would be elected as vice president while the third in the list would be elected as general secretary.
However, this new election guideline of the IYC has created a lot of confusion among the candidates.
Party sources revealed that the IYC has introduced these new guidelines to ensure transparency in the whole election process.
Party sources also informed that the election would be held for only five out of the total ten posts. Elections would be held only for the post of president, vice president and three general secretaries.
The remaining five general secretaries would be nominated from among the members belonging to OBC, minority, women and also women belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Tribe, party sources informed.
Meanwhile, sources informed that only those office bearers of the various polling stations where elections were recently held are eligible to vote in the IYC election.