SHILLONG, SEP 7: The opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Wednesday accused the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) of violating a Supreme Court order by failing to file its election expenditure report for the 2018 Assembly elections.
The AITC national spokesperson Saket Gokhale has also lodged a formal complaint against the NPP with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) FR Kharkongor.
According to the order of the Supreme Court of India in Common Cause v/s Union Of India & Oth.,(AIR 1996 SC 3081), and the subsequent proforma notified by the Election Commission, it is mandatory for political parties to file their election expenditure reports with the Chief Electoral Officer of the state within 75 days of assembly election or 90 days of Lok Sabha Elections.
However, the website of the Election Commission also displays that the required expenditure report by the NPP for the 2018 Assembly Elections has neither been filed nor uploaded in the last 4 years. As per para 16A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, the Election Commission of India is required to take stringent action against a defaulting political party and the failure to do so points out the major lapse on their part.
Gokhale has urged the CEO to order a detailed inquiry into whether a show cause notice has been issued against the NPP and initiate immediate action.
“It is earnestly requested that an action-taken report be submitted on this complaint to the undersigned within 7 working days of the receipt of this complaint in the interest of transparency as well as the conduct of free and fair elections for which the Election Commission of India is duty-bound under Article 324 of the Constitution of India”, he added.
Meanwhile, the AITC said its efforts in exposing the proxy-BJP government’s malfeasance are unremitting.
“The party aspires to stand by the people and become the voice of justice when the MDA government is occupied with hiding its irregularities under the carpet. Meghalaya TMC is the sole credible alternative for the people of Meghalaya against false electoral promises made by the MDA government; it is the only party that is striving tirelessly and raising pertinent issues of Meghalaya at the national level like the inclusion of languages, border disputes, etc,” it said.
By Our Reporter
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