Case adjourned, parties at liberty to mention any other order from SC
SHILLONG: The State Government seems all set to hold the by-elections to six KHADC and one JHADC seat in December this year. Indicating this here on Wednesday, District Council Affairs Minister Prestone Tynsong said that the High Court of Meghalaya on Wednesday accepted the proposal of the State Government to hold the by-elections.
The Cabinet which met here on Wednesday was also briefed about the development in the matter pertaining to the holding of the by-elections for the seven vacant Council seats.
It may be mentioned that while the High Court of Meghalaya on September 1 rejected the State’s proposal to hold by-elections to the District Council on December 13, the Supreme Court had on September 9 stayed the order of the High Court.
Later the State government on September 12 filed an affidavit before the High Court citing the apex court order allowing the government to hold by-elections to seven district council constituencies as per the schedule fixed for December 13.
Asked about the date for holding elections, the Minister refused to divulge any information saying that the calendar for the elections will be sent to the Governor for his approval and accordingly, notification will be issued.
Meanwhile, the order of the High Court on Wednesday referred to the affidavit filed by the government on September 12.
During the hearing, it was also submitted with reference to a communication received from the lawyer at New Delhi that no next date of hearing has been fixed by the Supreme Court.
The Court hence observed that looking to the subject matter and in view of the submissions made on behalf of the respondents, “the petition stands adjourned with a liberty to the parties to make a mention if there being any other order of the Supreme Court in the matter”.
The vacant seats in KHADC are those of H.D.R. Lyngdoh (Nongspung- Sohiong), Sanbor Shullai (Laban-Mawprem), Ardent M. Basaiawmoit (Nongkrem), K.P. Pangniang (Rambrai-Jyrngam), Metbah Lyngdoh (Mairang-Nongkhlaw) and Brolding Nongsiej (Mawthadraishan).
The lone vacant seat in the JHADC is the War East constituency which was earlier held by legislator Stephanson Mukhim.
It may be mentioned that seven MLAs who were holding the post of MDC resigned from their positions after the State Government passed the Dual Post Bill debarring legislators from holding the post of MDCs in October last year.