SHILLONG: The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) would soon be launching its membership drive before holding full organisational elections in the State.
The Congress is taking up this exercise to involve lower rung cadres in the election process. The Congress party will be holding “primaries” to decide who will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
Talking to newsmen here on Friday, Youth Congress Election Commissioner Jai Prakash Pathak said that it was for the first time that internal party elections were being held in the Youth Congress.
“No political party in the history of India has held internal party elections for any of its organisation. This is a historic step taken by the Indian Youth Congress and is also the vision of the AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi,” Pathak said.
He said that the Youth Congress invites and encourages anyone with an interest in working for the common people of India with integrity and dedication to contact the election team.
“There will be orientation and training session held to inform any potential candidates about the election process, nomination process and how to become an elected leader from your area for any position in the Indian Youth Congress,” the Youth Congress Election Commissioner said.
According to IYC, the Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has requested the Foundation for Advanced Management of Elections (FAME) to independently audit the membership and election process and ensure that it is impartial and open to participation for all.
FAME is an NGO created by James Lyngdoh, former Chief Election Commissioner of India.
Youth Congress membership drive will take place on January 30 until February 26 till 5:00pm.
After that, voter lists will be created and the election Process for the IYC organisation office bearers at the booth level will commence.
This will be followed by elections for office-bearers at the assembly constituency level, Lok Sabha level and the state level.