By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 20: The Election Department has issued notices to the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP), North East Social Democratic Party (NESDP), and the Regional Democratic Secular Congress (RDSC), seeking to delist them from the list of registered political parties in Meghalaya due to their failure to participate in elections since 2019.
The notice, issued by Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tiwari, explains that registration of an association or body of citizens as a political party is governed by Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which is meant for participation in elections conducted under the Act.
The four parties have not set up any candidates for the House of the People, the State Legislative Assembly, or bye-elections in the last six years, thus ceasing to function as political parties under the provision.
The Commission has invoked powers under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 29A of the Act to delist them, but not before giving them an opportunity to make a written representation accompanied by an affidavit of the president or general secretary of the party, supported by documents on or before August 26.
Hearings have been scheduled for September 3, to be attended by the president, general secretary, or head of the concerned party.
The notice makes it clear that if no reply is received within the stipulated time, it will be presumed that the parties have nothing to state in the matter and the Commission will proceed to pass appropriate orders without any further reference.