Shillong MP Ricky AJ Syngkon has written to the Commissioner and Secretary of the District Council Affairs Department on matters relating to permission for holding public meetings/campaigns.
He said that there have been instances where the Voice of the People Party (VPP) candidates face the problem of obtaining permission to hold public meetings/campaigns from the office of the village headmen/rangbah shnong/sordar shnong of Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
He said that the permission sought is either not given any consideration or given after a great delay, thereby affecting the party campaigns.
“It has been experienced by our candidates that there are village dorbars that restrict public meetings other than the common platform organised by them,” he said, obviously referring to a recent decision by the Mawlai Town Dorbar. “The above actions of certain village headmen /rangbah shnong/sordar shnong adversely impact the fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution. We the members of the party either individually or
collectively have the right to exercise the following fundamental rights as guaranteed by the Constitution under Article 19 (1): Freedom of speech and expression, Freedom of peaceful assembly without arms, Freedom of movement throughout the territory of India,” he said.
collectively have the right to exercise the following fundamental rights as guaranteed by the Constitution under Article 19 (1): Freedom of speech and expression, Freedom of peaceful assembly without arms, Freedom of movement throughout the territory of India,” he said.
He said that the candidates and political parties are important stakeholders in the electoral process, and not only do they have rights, but they also represent the opinions and political voices of voters.
