SHILLONG: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, a show-cause notice has been issued to the president of the Voice of the People Party (VPP), Ardent Millier Basaiawmoit, in Meghalaya by the returning officer (RO) of the Shillong parliamentary seat, SC Sadhu.
The show-cause notice has been issued to VPP chief Ardent Millier Basaiawmoit concerning an incident, where party supporters attempted to disrupt an election campaign meeting of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) at Jaiaw in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.
Addressed to the VPP chief, Ardent Millier Basaiawmoit, the notice cites that VPP supporters engaged in sloganeering, leading to the premature cancellation of the meeting.
The Shillong returning officer directed the VPP chief in Meghalaya to provide a response by April 12, granting an opportunity to be heard.
Sadhu emphasized the enforcement of model code of conduct (MCC) following the announcement of Lok Sabha elections 2024 by the election commission of India (ECI) on March 16.
The notice highlights guidelines stating that political parties and candidates must ensure their supporters refrain from obstructing or disrupting meetings and processions organized by other parties.
The disruption occurred during an NPP election meeting at Jaiaw Pdeng, where VPP supporters shouted slogans while NPP state working president, Hameltson Dohling, was addressing the campaign.
A confrontation ensued, leading to the meeting's premature conclusion.
A similar incident took place later in Umsning, where clashes between opposing groups necessitated police intervention to prevent escalation.
