IMPHAL, November 5: Returning Officer for the Thongju Constituency bye election SDO Porompat Delina Laishram today declared that four candidates will be in fray for the seat.
However, during the scrutiny of nomination papers of the candidate conducted today at the office of the RO, Congress candidate Bijoy Koijam was unable to produce his matriculation certificate during scrutiny for the November 21 bye-election.
The scrutiny was conducted in the presence of observers.
In his nomination papers, former Congress MLA Bijoy Koijam had filed his educational qualification as HSLC Examination passed in 1978.
During scrutiny, Bijoy’s main opponent BJP candidate Th Bishwajit raised an objection that while filing his nomination papers during the 9th and 10th Assembly Elections in 2007 and 2012 respectively, the Congress candidate had filed his educational qualification as PUC passed with a diploma in Photo Journalism completed in 1978.
After checking the four nomination papers of the Congress candidate, the RO had demanded if the others wanted to raise objections.
Raising his objection, Bishwajit told the RO that in the past elections, the Congress candidate had claimed to have completed PUC and diploma in Photo Journalist in 1978, then how is it possible that the candidate has claimed just HSLCE in 1978 this time.
He observed according to the ECI guidelines, candidates have to provide their highest qualification and provide certificates.
He said the Congress candidate has failed to even provide his certificates.
The RO checked the ECI provided guidelines and mulled further actions to be taken.
She further discussed the issue with the observers and then asked the Congress candidate to provide the name of his school from where he completed his matriculation.
Bijoy Koijam replied he completed his HSLC from Canchipur High School in 1978, following which Bishwajit withdrew his objection.
Later, RO cleared Bijoy’s nomination.
The RO also checked the two nominations papers of Bishwajit, independent candidate Ingo and MDPF candidate G Tonsana Sharma.
She further declared that four candidates are in the fray for the November 21 bye-election.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/four-in-the-fray-for-thongju-seat-ro/