NPP MLA denies violating MCC during election campaigning for Rajabala bypoll

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 27, 2021

National People’s Party (NPP) legislator from Phulbari SG Estamur Mominin has denied any violation of the model code of conduct during the election campaigns for the upcoming Rajabala bypoll.  

Replying to the show cause issued by the Returning Officer for Rajabala constituency, Mominin has admitted he had attended the campaign meeting at both venues – Belbari and Nalbari and that the meeting concluded before 7 pm

The show cause notice was served to Phulbari MLA and former GHADC member Fozibur Rahman on Tuesday after a complaint was lodged by the opposition Congress nominee Hashina Yasmin Mondal.

She has alleged the duo had organized election campaigns beyond the permissible time limit and without prior permission at Belbari and Nalbari.

Mominin however stated that the videography that had been captured relates to another social visit carried out as an interaction with the public in the village on matters relating to COVID scenario and that has stated that no loudspeakers were used during the interaction.

Further, the Phulbari legislator has also ensured his assurance of abiding fully with the rules and protocols and that preventive measures in the future shall be complied with.

The Returning Officer has also issued show cause notice to an election agent of the Congress following complaint that the party’s election campaigning was attended by mammoth gathering exceeding permissible audience strength fixed by the Election Commission of India.

A reply to show cause states that the election agent had taken some measures to limit the audience within 1,000, however the crowd during the event exceeded the admissible numbers on account of the public attending the meeting without their knowledge and on account of zeal to attend the star campaigners hearing.

Meanwhile, an FIR was lodged by the FST magistrate on Wednesday against the campaign organizers of the NPP and others for violation of COVID-19 protocols. The complaint said that the campaign organizers have violated the COVID-19 protocols by allowing public gathering in the election meeting exceeding the permissible numbers at Belbari on October 26.