SHILLONG: People’s Democratic Front (PDF) candidate from Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah constituency James Ban Basaiawmoit on Friday lodged a complaint against NPP candidate PN Syiem and his election agents.
In the letter to the returning officer in-charge of the constituency, Basaiawmoit said two persons were caught distributing money on the day of the election to bribe voters at the behest of Syiem and his election agents.
Further, he said documents seized from the two persons clearly showed that money was paid for votes.
Basaiawmoit said the Rs 80,000 was provided by Syiem for polling agents and volunteers for one polling station. With the constituency having 28 polling stations, he said the expenditure limit of Rs 5 lakh has exceeded.
In this connection, he requested the returning officer to take action against Syiem for violating Rule 176 on expenditure, 193 (1) on bribery, Rule 3 (2) for influencing voters and Rules 194 (1) and 9(2) and Rule 195 (1) of the Assam Meghalaya Autonomous District (Constitution of District Council), Rule, 1952 (as amended).
He added that an inquiry should also be made for violation of election expenditure as per District Council Affairs notification, dated January 31.
KHNAM candidate from Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah constituency Glenbert Khongwir said the people were NPP supporters of Wahingdoh.
He added that they found in their possession documents showing the names of people with “pd” (paid) written against their names.
He said the truth will be revealed after the hearing by the district administration.
Syiem clarifies
Meanwhile, PN Syiem clarified that he did not say that money distribution takes place in all the constituencies and added that what he meant was such allegation of distribution of money always happens in many constituencies.
