Shillong: The returning officer in the Mawrynkneng assembly constituency of Meghalaya has put on hold the scrutiny of the lone Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) candidate Esron Marweiñ due to legal issues.
Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Roy Kharkongor the returning officer would take a call after the Delhi High Court delivered its verdict on Tuesday.
However, the nomination papers of other 12 candidates, including the lone woman candidate, Hasina Yasmin Mondol of the Congress have been taken for scrutiny and were found valid on Monday.
“Since the matter (KHNAM candidate) has been taken to court and hearing will be held on Tuesday, we will wait for a verdict of the court,” Kharkongor said.
There has been a dispute over the leadership of KHNAM which led to the emergence of two factions.
One faction is led by Pyndapborthiaw Saibon as the President, while another faction is led by lone KHNAM legislator Adelbert Nongrum, who also claimed to be the president of the party.
On October 8, Saigon had submitted a complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer against the setting up of a candidate from Mawryngkneng constituency in the name of KHNAM since the dispute has not been settled yet.
“The Election Commission of India in its order in November last year, has left the matter to the party members to settle the dispute or to the court give its ruling since KHNAM is a registered but unrecognised political party,” Saigon said.
The by-elections Meghalaya to the three Assembly constituencies – Mawryngkneng, Rajabala and Mawphlang – were necessitated following the demise of three legislators.
The last date for withdrawal of candidatures is on October 13, while polling will be held on October 30, and counting of votes on November 2.
