Shillong, Feb 5: A decision taken by some localities of Shillong to hold a common platform for campaigning by political parties for the ensuing KHADC elections, citing several factors including students’ preparation for upcoming exams, should be respected by all political parties and candidates, observed Meghalaya’s Commissioner & Secretary in-charge District Council Affairs department Cyril Diengdoh, while addressing press persons in the state capital on Tuesday.
A few of the contesting candidates have expressed their unhappiness over the decision by locality heads to stage a common platform citing several reasons.
Urging all parties and aspirants to honour the decision of the locality leaders, Diengdoh said, “They are permitted to have a common platform because in that common platform, they are giving equal chance to all political parties including independent candidates to come to the common platform and conduct the public meeting. No one is denied. No political party or contesting candidate is denied to have a meeting on a common platform. For that we have clarified that yes if that is the decision of a particular locality, we respect that decision and you can go ahead.”
He clarified that holding of public meetings is being guided by the model code of conduct (MCC) for political parties and candidates for elections to the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and the same has been circulated to all political parties that for any public meeting, rally or procession, permission of the deputy commissioner or sub-divisional officer is required.
The District Council Affairs Commissioner and Secretary clarified on the matter following recent objections to the decision by some contesting candidates against the localities decision to hold the platform.
The grievances appear to stem from certain political parties who accused some localities of withholding permission to them to hold their public rally.
“We have issued instructions to the DCs to talk to the headmen and all localities saying that in the interest of free and fair election, all political parties including candidates should be given the chance to campaign but of course after taking due permission. If they decided they don’t want to have any other meeting apart from the common platform that is permitted because the principle is that they have given an equal chance to all political parties and contesting candidates to take part in that common platform, that should be respected so that everyone gets a chance to address the public,” he added.
