Shillong, Aug 20: As per the guidelines laid down by the Election Commission of India (ECI), Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tiwari has issued show cause notices to four registered unrecognised political parties, which have ceased to function in Meghalaya.
The show cause notices were issued to the Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP), North East Social Democratic Party (NESDP) and Regional Democratic Secular Congress (RDSC) on August 19.
As per the statutory provisions under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the registration of a political party is intended to facilitate its participation in elections conducted under the said Act.
However, based on records maintained by the Commission, these political parties did not set up any candidate at any of the elections held, either to the House of the people or to any State Legislative Assembly or bye-elections for the last six years since 2019, indicating that they have ceased to function as political parties in the manner envisaged under the Act.
The Commission proposes to delist these parties from the register of political parties and has, before initiating such action, provided an opportunity for them to make their submissions.
The show cause notices call upon the respective parties to file a written representation along with supporting documentation and an affidavit from the party’s president or general secretary latest by August 26, 2025.
Additionally, the parties have been informed that a hearing has been scheduled for September 2, 2025, which should be attended by the President or General Secretary or Head of the Party. In the event of non-response or non-appearance, the Election Commission will proceed to take final action as per established guidelines, without any further reference to the party.
