IMPHAL, May 30: Following the disqualification of three MLAs of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) from the House by the tribunal of Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly under the Tenth Schedule of Indian Constitution, the first meeting to chart out necessary preparations for holding bye-election in the respective constituencies of the disqualified MLAs was held today at the office of DC Imphal West at Lamphelpat.
The three AITC MLAs who have been disqualified are Kh Joykishan (Thangmeiband Constituency), Th Bishwajit Singh (Thongju Constituency) and O Lukhoi Singh (Wangoi Constituency). They were disqualified on May 27 by the Speaker invoking anti-defection law.
The meeting which was presided by DC Imphal West, Ningthoujam Geoffrey began at 11.25 am though it was supposed to begin at 11 am as per an official circular.
According to an official who attended the meeting, there is a high possibility of holding bye-election in the three constituencies to fill up the vacant seats of MLA in the constituencies.
The meeting was convened to start necessary preparations for holding the election following the disqualification.
The meeting also discussed about selection of required staff to be employed in the bye-election, reservation of office rooms to be used by the staff and preparation of relevant documents to be sent to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the official disclosed.
Assistant Commissioner of Imphal West District, Sukumar; Sub-Divisional Officer of Imphal West (Lamphel); SDO Wangoi; Sub-Deputy Collector, Wangoi; SDC (Headquarter), Wangoi and Assistant Electoral Officer (AEO), Amuyaima were also present at the meeting.
Meanwhile, Manipur Legislative Assembly has issued an official notification today declaring that seats of MLAs in the Assembly Constituencies of Thangmeiband, Thongju and Wangoi are vacant following the disqualification of its MLAs.
According to reports received by this daily from Assembly Secretariat, a copy of the notification has been sent to ECI today.
A copy of the judgement order passed by the tribunal of Speaker disqualifying the three MLAs was also sent to the commission yesterday.
An official gazette notification regarding the disqualification and subsequent vacancy of MLA seats in the respective constituencies will be out soon. A copy of the notification will be sent to the ECI, the reports said.
The vacant seats in the assembly segments mentioned in the official notification which was sent to the Election Commission of India are at 5-Thongju; 9-Thangmeiband and 22-Wangoi Assembly Constituencies, it added.