SHILLONG: The UDP has decided to write to the Election Commission of India on Monday to hold simultaneous by-polls in South Tura and Ranikor.
The EC on Monday announced the date for South Tura.
Parties and political leaders had expected that the by-elections in Ranikor and South Tura will be held together but the decision only on South Tura came as a surprise.
UDP president Donkupar Roy said he had asked the general secretary of the party Jemino Mawthoh to write to the Election Commission to hold simultaneous polls.
According to Roy, if the simultaneous by-polls are not held, then the Election Commission should withhold the result of South Tura and declare it along with Ranikor result as the early declaration of the result in South Tura can influence voters.
Mawthoh said the party is of the view that the by-elections for both the constituencies should be held simultaneously since they are in the same state.
“We will write to the Election Commission of India and the State Election department with a request to hold simultaneous elections,” Mawthoh said.
He pointed out that South Tura legislator Agatha Sangma resigned only recently whereas Ranikor MLA MM Danggo resigned much earlier but by-election is taking place only in South Tura constituency.
Another UDP leader, Bindo Lanong said it would have been better if simultaneous elections were held in both constituencies.
He, however, said the final decision rests with the EC and it may have its own calculations for holding the by-polls separately.
PDF chief PN Syiem also expressed surprise over the EC not holding simultaneous by-polls.
According to him, since the vacant seats are in the same state, election should have been simultaneous.
On the other hand, NPP state president WR Kharlukhi said the party is ready for both South Tura and Ranikor by-polls.
He also said it has no issues if Ranikor and South Tura by-polls are held simultaneously or separately.
When contacted, Congress working president James Lyngdoh refused to comment on the matter.
However, an election official said that since there was urgency in holding the South Tura by-poll, it was announced early.
The chief minister will have to get elected before September 6, the official added.
The by-poll in Ranikor has to be within six months.
