Congress writes to ECI over bypolls

From our correspondent

Itagar, Nov 10: The Congress in Aruchal Pradesh on Friday pleaded the Election Commission of India to announce dates for by-elections to Pakke-Kessang and Likabali Assembly constituencies which have remained vacant for the last several months.

Aruchal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Takam Sanjoy, in a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti, drew his attention to the breach of Constitutiol provisions under Representation of the People’s Act, 1951 in connection with the conduct of by-election to Pakke-Kessang Assembly seat in East Kameng district.

“The Legislative Assembly notified that the Pakke-Kessang (ST) Assembly Constituency has been vacant since February 8 this year. According to the Constitution, the by-election to the Assembly segment should have been completed within a time period of six months. The delay in announcing the by-poll even after the expiry of six months is unprecedented, arbitrary and against the Constitutiol provision,” Sanjoy wrote in his letter.

The seat was vacant after former deputy chief minister and the then sitting MLA Kameng Dolo lost his Assembly membership following a Supreme Court ruling.

Dolo won the seat uncontested in 2014. However, BJP candidate from the constituency Atum Welly filed a case in the court challenging Dolo saying that his candidature was withdrawn through fraudulent means by Dolo during the day of withdrawal of nomitions.

Though the Election Commission announced by-poll to the constituency on July 29 this year, it had to cancel it taking into consideration the weather conditions of the State.

The APCC president in his letter also pointed out that the Likabali Assembly Constituency in Lower Siang district is lying vacant since the death of Health Minister Jomde Ke on September 4 this year.

The party urged the chief election commissioner to club the bye-elections for both vacant seats and order fresh election at the earliest.