EC dismisses Opposition's demand to disqualify 17 ruling SDF MLAs

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Gangtok, Feb 20 (UNI) The Election Commission (EC) has dismissed the Opposition's petition to disqualify 17 MLAs of ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) on the ground of holding office of profit, sources from SDF said here today.

Mr B B Gooroong Political Advisor to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, told mediapersons here today that the EC's decision indicated that the MLAs, who were protected by the Removal of Disqualifications Act of 1978, could not be considered for disqualification.

Governor V Rama Rao had sought the opinion of the Election Commission after the BJP, Congress and the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad accused the MLAs of holding various offices of profit and submitted a memorandum in March 2006 year demanding the Governor to disqualify them.

After the opposition parties raised the issue, the Sikkim Assembly, in a special session in June 2006, amended the Removal of Disqualification Act of 1978. More offices were given protection under the purview of this amended act.

Since the offices were now protected by the act, they could no longer be considered as offices of profit, the EC said.

UNI

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