Decks cleared for RS election
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 17 2020: The election for Manipur's lone Rajya Sabha seat will be held in the Common Room of Manipur Legislative Assembly on June 19.The biennial election to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) will start from 9 am to 5 pm, said an order issued by the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

It may be noted that titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba is contesting the election on BJP ticket amid widespread criticism from many sectors.

Many women organisations and CSOs had demanded that the titular king should abdicate his throne before the election.

The election however is likely to be decided by only 52 MLAs as former Forest Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar is no longer a Member of the Legislative Assembly and seven other MLAs have been restrained from entering the Assembly premises by the High Court.

The Speaker Tribunal, on March 28, had disqualified Th Shyamkumar as an MLA under Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India (Anti-Defection Law).

As many as 15 disqualification cases were filed against Th Shyamkumar.

Notably, he had won the 2017 general election on Congress ticket from Andro Assembly Constituency and went on to become Forest Minister in the BJP led Government under Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

On the other hand, several Congress MLAs had also filed disqualification petitions in the High Court against seven MLAs-Wangoi AC MLA Oinam Lukhoi, Lamlai MLA Ksh Biren, Wangjing Tentha MLA Paonam Brojen, Kumbi AC MLA Sanasam Bira, Saitu MLA Ngamthang Haokip, Singhat MLA Ginsuanhau and Kakching AC MLA Yengkhom Surchandra.

A single bench of the High Court is hearing the cases and significantly, Justice Kh Nobin Singh, on June 8, had restrained the seven MLAs- from entering the Assembly premises.

The Speaker Tribunal however is yet to decide on the disqualification cases.

On June 6, the Speaker Tribunal had fixed today for further proceeding of the cases (against seven MLAs) but the same has been rescheduled for June 22 as the Speaker was "indisposed and unwell" today.

Meanwhile, an office memorandum issued by Chief Security Officer, Manipur Legislative Assembly said that the Rajya Sabha election will be held following protocols instructed by the Election Commission of India in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vehicles of the Members of Legislative Assembly shall enter through Gate No 1 and park at parking No 1 (in front of Annexe Building) and exit through gate No 2 after casting votes.

No person including PROs/PSOs shall accompany the Members inside the Annexe Building of the Assembly complex where the polling area is located.

Vehicles of candidates, Election Observer, Chief Electoral Officer, Election Officers on duty, medical teams, officials of DIPR, media persons, fire tenders of Manipur Fire Service shall enter through gate No 2 and park at Park No 2 (near gate no 3) and exit through the same gate after duty.

No vehicles of the escort parties of the Members shall enter the Assembly premises, said the office memorandum.

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