Chokpot polls: Ballot papers to have photos of candidates
SHILLONG: In a U-turn, the aspirant for NCP ticket, Bluebell R Sangma has sought Congress ticket for Chokpot byelection slated for June 27.
Bluebell R Sangma is the wife of former legislator from Chokpot Late Mason Singh Sangma.
Last week, Bluebell, who had unsuccessfully contested from Chokpot in 2013 Assembly polls, had applied for NCP ticket. She had forwarded the name to NCP legislator Marthon Sangma representing Mendipathar constituency.
When contacted to know whether Bluebell withdrew her application from NCP, Marthon did not return the call.
The MPCC working president Deborah Marak said on Wednesday that Bluebell’s name figures among the seven aspirants for the Congress ticket for the Chokpot bypoll. Besides, three MDCs, two of them Congress, also applied for the party ticket.
The names of applicants are Ollendro R Marak, sitting Independent MDC from Gasuapara, Willison D Shira, sitting Congress MDC from Rongrikrimgre, Bestarfeild N Sangma, Congress MDC from Babelapara, Perlin C Momin, Chokpot Block Congress Committee President, Jonilson ch marak, a private college lecturer and Pangseng R Marak, a prominent leader.
Deborah said that first an election committee will shortlist the candidates which will be forwarded to the AICC for final approval. “Since time is running short, we need to finalize the candidate quickly”, she said.
Change in ballot papers: For the first time, the ballot papers related to Chokpot byelection will have photos of the candidates along with their names and symbols of political parties.
This was informed by the Chief Electoral Officer P Naik here on Wednesday.
Earlier, only the symbols and the names of candidates were visible in the ballot papers.
As per an official statement, the Election Commission of India (ECI) in partial modification of its existing directions under Rule 22, Rule 30 and Rule 49B read with Rule 70 of the Conduct of Elections Rule 1961, issued from time to time, specified that for all elections to be held with effect from May 1 this year , the photographs of the candidate will be printed in the panel for the name of the candidate and will appear in between the name and symbol of the candidate.
The chief electoral officer has asked the candidates to submit their recent photographs taken during the preceding period of 3 months before the date of notification of election which was on June 3.
As per the direction, photograph should be “of stamp size 2cm x 2.5 cm in white or off white background with full face view directly facing the camera, neutral, facial expression with eyes open. The photo maybe in color or black and white as may be convenient for the candidate. Photograph should be in normal clothing and photograph in uniform is not permitted. Caps or hats and dark glasses should be avoided”.