The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has vehemently opposed the order of the East Khasi Hills district administration imposing restriction on victory processions on June 4, the day when the Lok Sabha election results are announced.
In a letter to East Khasi Hills district magistrate, Sibhi C. Sadhu today, VPP general secretary, Ricky A J Syngkon said that such an order is undemocratic and against the spirit of participation in the electoral process of the country.
Syngkon said, “This order reveals not only the weakness and ineptitude of the district administration and the government as a whole but also implies authoritarianism and depriving the people of the right to participate in the democratic process.”
The VPP has urged the East Khasi Hills district administration to withdraw the “illogical, arbitrary and dictatorial order”, to avoid confrontation between the administration and the people.
Meanwhile, speaking to media persons after submitting the letter to Sadhu today, VPP legislator from Mawlai constituency Brightstarwell Marbaniang said that his party will not accept the ban on victory rallies or procession.
“We will not accept this kind of restriction. We have told the district magistrate about our stand and he has assured us to look into it,” Marbaniang said.
Marbaniang also said that supporters of any political party have every right to celebrate the election victory.
He also questioned the logic behind such ban on victory procession or rallies in East Khasi Hills when no such restriction was imposed in other districts of the State
Marbaniang however said that the party has no issue with the restrictions imposed at the counting centres.
In an order issued yesterday, Sadhu has prohibited taking out of victory procession or rally in the entire district on June 4.
“No victory procession/rallies by any candidate or political party after the declaration of result shall be permissible within East Khasi Hills District,” the order said.
The order imposed under Section 144 CrPC also laid out several restrictions within the area in and around the counting centres “in order to maintain peace, order and tranquillity on the day of counting”.
