Guwahati: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) in Meghalaya objected to the East Khasi Hills district administration’s order restricting victory processions on June 4, the day of the Lok Sabha election results announcement.
In a letter addressed to East Khasi Hills District Magistrate Sibhi C. Sadhu, VPP General Secretary Ricky A J Syngkon criticized the order as undemocratic and contrary to the spirit of electoral participation. Syngkon argued, “This order not only demonstrates the weakness and ineptitude of the district administration and the government but also suggests authoritarianism, depriving people of their right to engage in the democratic process.”
The VPP has called on the district administration to rescind the “illogical, arbitrary, and dictatorial order” to avoid potential conflicts between the authorities and the public.
After submitting the letter to Sadhu, VPP legislator from the Mawlai constituency, Brightstarwell Marbaniang, reiterated the party’s stance against the ban on victory rallies. “We will not accept this restriction. We have communicated our position to the district magistrate, who has assured us he will consider it,” Marbaniang stated. He emphasized that supporters of any political party have the right to celebrate election victories.
Marbaniang also questioned why such a ban was imposed only in East Khasi Hills while other districts in the state faced no similar restrictions. However, he noted that the party has no issues with the restrictions at the counting centres.
The order issued by Sadhu yesterday prohibits all victory processions or rallies by any candidate or political party in East Khasi Hills on June 4. Issued under Section 144 CrPC, the order also includes several restrictions around counting centres to maintain peace and order on the counting day.