EC refuses to disqualify Congress legislator

FROM OUR REPORTER

SHILLONG, June 1: The Election Commission has opined that Congress MLA from Mawsynram, Pynshngainlang N Syiem, who is also a Member of District Council (MDC) has not attracted disqualification under Article 191 (1) (a) of the Constitution. “The Election Commission has opined that Pynshngainlang Syiem, Member of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly cannot said to be holding an office of profit under the Government within the meaning of Article 191 (1) (a) of the Constitution and consequently Pynshngainlang Syiem, Chief Executive Member has not attracted the disqualification under Article 191 (1) (a) of the Constitution,” Meghalaya Governor, V Shanmugathan said in an order today. According to Shanmugathan a reference was received from the state government on November 28, 2015 under Article 192 of the Constitution of India, wherein a question had arisen as to whether Syiem has attracted disqualification under Article 191 (1) (a) of the Constitution since he is simultaneously a member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council. The Governor pointed out that in terms of Article 192 (2) of the Constitution, the matter was referred to the Election Commission of India on November 30, 2015. The opinion of the Election Commission of India was received by the Governor on May 16 this year. Late last year, seven MDCs who were also legislators quit their positions. On September 24, 2015, the Meghalaya Assembly passed the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) Amendment Bill, 2015, to bar Assembly legislators from holding any other elected post.