JOWAI: The High Court of Meghalaya has stayed the Dolloi election in Nongjngi Elaka in West Jaintia Hills which was scheduled to be held on Monday.
Sources informed that the High Court issues the stay order while acting on a writ petition filed by one Wilas Pale, pator of Nongjngi Elaka.
The writ petition was filed against the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) alleging that the Council was allowing a non-resident of Nongjngi village to contest the Dolloi election.
The candidate in question is Copius Daw, a resident of Wahiajer village who hailed from Nongjngi village. Daw’s candidature had evoked strong protest from a section of the residents of Nongjngi.
Earlier, a letter signed by a group of protestors was submitted to the JHADC seeking disqualification of Copius Daw’s candidature.
Besides Daw, other candidates in the fray are former MDC Kitton Samati, Truspol Samasi and Phait Pahiah.
JHADC Executive Member Joinriwel Pyrtuh confirmed that the election was immediately called off after receipt of the court order.
He also informed that all election officials of the JHADC returned to Jowai from Nongjngi Elaka on Monday night.
