Shylla elected as CEM of KHADC but opposition takes it to the court

By Kashmir Age Online On Jul 14, 2018

Shillong, Jul 14 : National People’s Party leader Hispreaching Son
Shylla has been elected as the new Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council in Meghalaya, but his opponents supporting the candidature of Council member, Grace Mary Kharpuri’s filed a petition in the Meghalaya High Court challenging the validity of the election.
The election to the post of CEM was to be held yesterday, but after Chairman of the council L G Nongsiej resigned from the post few hours before the election, the Governor Ganga Prasad fixed the election today.
The Governor also appointed former chairperson of the Council Teilinia Thangkhiew as Pro tem chairperson where she presided over the proceedings in the House including the election.
As Kharpuri did not come to the Council to face the election, the Pro tem chairperson announced from the chair the election of Shylla as CEM without facing the opponent.
Shylla was elected to the post for the second time. He was CEM from July 28, 2004 to February 5, 2008. Shylla is the senior most member of the Council, and he was first elected as member in 1984.
Shylla, who was supported by members of the coalition, Khasi Hills Democratic Alliance (KHDA), thanked all the members on his election to the CEM post, and assured of working together with all the members in streamlining the functioning of the Council.
However the opposition members under the coalition, People’s Democratic Alliance filed a petition in the Meghalaya High Court challenging the validity of Shylla’s election.
The petition was filed in the name of People’s Democratic Front leader, James Ban Basaiawmoit, against the Meghalaya government, KHADC and the Pro tem chairperson of the Council.
““Since due procedures were not followed, we did not participate in the election, and instead approached the judiciary for justice,” Kharpuri said.
Kharpuri said that the court has ordered the Meghalaya government, Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, and the Protem chairperson to file reply within one week.
UNI.