Scrutiny clears Abdul Salam's RS papers
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 29 2014:
With the nomination papers filed for the Rajya Sabha election found to be valid by the election Returning Officer (RO) today, only procedural formality remains before haji Abdul Salam is declared as Manipur's lone representative to the Rajya Sabha.
While the official deadline for withdrawal of nomination paper is January 31 election of Abdul Salam without contest remains a mere formality as no other candidate is in the fray.
Scrutiny of Abdul Salam's nomination papers was held today at the Chingmeirong office chamber of Manipur Legislative Assembly's Secretary Y indira, who is also the election RO, from 11 till 11.30 am today.
In the presence of the candidate himself and his agents the RO declared that all the documents submitted by Abdul Salam were in conformity with prescribed guidelines for the RS election.
Chief Electoral officer O Nabakishore, who is the Election Observer was also present at the occasion.
As the nomination papers were found to be valid the RO would officially intimate the outcome to the Election Commission of India within hours, confirmed Assembly Secretariat officials.
In sync with prescribed election norms the official declaration about a candidate's election would be made on expiry of the deadline for withdrawal.
Conveying gratitude to the people of Manipur for his unrivalled election to the Rajya Sabha soon after his nomination papers were found valid, Abdul Salam described the moment as a historic event for the minority Muslims.
Stating that he also joined the race for the 2008 Rajya Sabha and 2009 Lok Sabha elections but without any success, Abdul Salam said he did not lobby this time around as he was confident that the third attempt would get the blessing of the AICC leaderships.
Observing that the electorates of eight assembly segments, including Jiribam, having only the right to vote and not contest elections, might have been another crucial factor for the AICC approving his candidacy for the lone Rajya Sabha seat and an opportunity to serve people of these assembly segments, he also declared that taking advantage of a minority Muslim nominated to the Rajya Sabha he would campaign vigorously for the success of both Congress nominees from the State in the upcoming parliamentary election.
Besides party workers and supporters, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy CM Gaikhangam were also present during the scrutiny process.