KHADC ’14 polls runners-up to move apex court

SHILLONG: The runners-up in the elections to KHADC held in 2014 have decided to move the Supreme Court following the High Court’s dismissal of the writ petition to appoint them as MDCs after the winners resigned over the dual posts Act.
W. Syiemlieh, who secured second highest number of votes in Sohiong constituency, had filed a writ petition in the High Court stating that after the vacancy in the District Council was declared, the person securing the second highest votes should be declared elected. However, it was dismissed by the Court.
When contacted Syiemlieh confirmed that he would approach the Supreme Court.
As per the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous District (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951, the returning officer has the power to declare the candidate with second highest number of votes as winner in case a vacancy arises.
The Sohiong seat has remained vacant since the resignation of HDR Lyngdoh as MDC after the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in September last year passed the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) (Amendment) Act, 2015.