SHILLONG: The United Democratic party (UDP) on Wednesday shot of a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) requesting him to notify the same election date for Ranikor LAC as well as South Tura by poll.
The letter written by the party’s General Secretary, Jemino Mawthoh said that the date for the by-elections is constitutionally time-bound as per the term of expiry. However, it is felt that since the two constituencies is in the state of Meghalaya, it would be advisable to hold the elections simultaneously, thereby leaving no chance for political influences and manipulation, holding in place the Commission’s advocacy of free and fair elections.
The UDP termed the announcement of by-poll date for South Tura LAC as surprising, considering that the MLA from Ranikor Constituency had resigned much earlier i.e on 21st June 2018 and till date, no announcement for the election was made, whereas for South Tura Constituency, the MLA resigned at a later date i.e on 2nd July but notification for the election date had already been issued by the Election Commission.
“I would like to strongly urge your good office to kindly notify the same election date for both the above constituencies, so as to ensure free and fair poll which would augur well for the people of the state of Meghalaya and would leave no room for casting aspersions,” the UDP letter said while adding that they find no justification to hold the elections on separate polling dates for the two constituencies.
“As a matter of fact, Ranikor Constituency deserves earlier election than South Tura Constituency since the people of Ranikor has been without an elected representative since an earlier date than their counterparts from South Tura,” Mawthoh added.
