By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: KHNAM is in favour of fixing 1971 as cut off year to determine the ‘doubtful’ voters, said the party president Pyndapborthiaw Saiborne.
Stating that there is a need to have a cut off year to determine genuine citizens who are eligible to get enrolled in the State’s electoral rolls, Saiborne, however, said the party was against the idea of increasing the cut off year, “but it should not be after 1990”.
While opposing to the latest directive of the Election Commission which had said that a person who comes to reside in the State within a day or two can get enrolled in the electoral rolls, he said this decision would have an adverse effect on the ‘minority indigenous population of the State’.
“If this happens then people from outside would outnumber the minority indigenous population,” KHNAM chief said while addressing a press conference here on Monday.
He said, “It is really disturbing to see the reports that many dubious people have managed to get themselves enrolled in the voters list thanks to the so called ‘facilitation cells’. We demand removal of such ‘facilitation cells’since it is not serving the interest of the people of the State”.
He also demanded immediate suspension of the enrollment process.
KHNAM awaits EC nod on identity: KHNAM is optimistic of maintaining its identity saying that the party is awaiting the official communiqué from the Election Commission in this context.
“We recently met the EC officials who indicated the party can retain its identity. But this would be confirmed only after receiving the official communiqué from the EC,” said KHNAM president Pyndapborthiaw Saiborne here on Monday.
While referring to September 12, 1977 ruling of the Supreme Court relating to the similar dissolution of the APHLC, the KHNAM leader said the apex court had ruled against the decision of the EC to dissolve the APHLC.
In fact, former Chief Minister late Captain Williamson Sangma had dissolved the APHLC with two-third majority to merge with Congress on November 16, 1976, he informed.
“But leaders like former Chief Minister Late DD Pugh and former Union Minister PR Kyndiah filed a joint petition in the Supreme Court against the dissolution of the party by the EC,” KHNAM leader said.
On the basis of this SC ruling, the party is hoping to retain its identity, he said.When asked about the fall out of the merger of the party with the UDP especially with former KHNAM MDC from Mawkhar James Ban Basaiawmoit claimed that he was betrayed by the UDP by not offering the party ticket to contest 2013 election, KHNAM general secretary Adelbert Nongrum said, “This gives a clear indication that the actual reason of the merger of the two parties is not to unite the regional parties. This has rather created a tussle for tickets to contest elections.”
When asked if the party would accept its former president Paul Lyngdoh if he returns to the fold, Saiborne said, “The door is open for everybody.””But I know he (Paul) would not never do that,” the KHNAM president added.