Following the announcement of candidates by the Voice of the People Party (VPP) and resentment expressed by certain quarters over allotment of tickets, for the Member of District Council (MDC) polls, president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said that the final decision rests with the Election Committee of the party.
Basaiawmoit stated, “If anyone joins the party solely to secure a ticket, it is better for them not to join at all. The final decision on ticket allocation lies with the Election Committee, which has been entrusted with the authority to make such decisions.”
This statement was made during a press interaction when questioned about the pending announcement of candidates for the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.
In the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) the VPP is yet to declare candidates in six constituencies.
The VPP named 27 candidates for KHADC and 24 for JHADC on Wednesday.
Basaiawmoit clarified that while the party has announced candidates for most constituencies in Khasi-Jaintia Hills, other constituencies are still under review by the Election Committee before the final decision on ticket allocation is made.
He reiterated that the Election Committee is the ultimate authority in ticket allocation and emphasised that joining VPP merely for a ticket is discouraged.
“The party has made it clear that joining VPP is not solely for the purpose of obtaining an election ticket. There are many ways to contribute and serve the community beyond contesting elections,” he added.
Basaiawmoit also acknowledged that the emergence of the VPP has inspired many young individuals to join politics with the intention of contesting elections.
However, he noted that some youth who did not receive tickets have chosen to remain with the party and work collectively, while others who joined solely for tickets left when their expectations were not met.
Basaiawmoit stressed that it is preferable for such individuals not to join the party in the first place.
“VPP is not merely an election-focused party; it is a platform dedicated to strengthening and uplifting the community through various initiatives,” he asserted.
Basaiawmoit emphasised that those joining the VPP should do so with a genuine intention to serve and improve the community.
He said that the party is open to welcoming individuals with sincere motives and is ready to support them in their endeavours.
However, the VPP president made it clear that joining the VPP should not be driven by the sole ambition of contesting elections.
