JMM Demands Early By-election in Gandey Assembly Seat

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Pushes for Quick By-election in Gandey

JMM submits a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer, demanding early by-elections in Gandey assembly seat, citing legal provisions.

RANCHI – Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has called for an early by-election on the vacant Gandey assembly seat following Dr. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s resignation.

JMM has presented a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer, advocating for their demand.

In the memorandum, JMM references Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act 1951, highlighting the six-month period for conducting by-elections in such cases.

The party urges the Election Commission to promptly arrange the Gandey by-election.

Post submitting the memorandum, JMM’s Central General Secretary Vinod Pandey elaborated on the constitutional basis for their request.

He noted that the first session of the Jharkhand Assembly commenced on January 6, 2020, with its tenure extending until January 5, 2025, as per Article 172 of the Indian Constitution.

Additionally, JMM included the Supreme Court’s verdict in Pramod Laxman Gudadhe vs. Election Commission of India in their submission.

The verdict mandates by-elections within six months if more than a year of the term remains, binding the Election Commission to this provision.

Vinod Pandey mentioned the possibility of approaching the Delhi Election Commission if necessary.

The JMM delegation, including party chief whip Nalin Soren and others, joined him in this demand.

Chief Electoral Officer K Ravikumar acknowledged receiving JMM’s demand letter and informed that the Election Commission is already aware of the Gandey seat’s vacancy since December 31.

The recent demand letter will also be forwarded to the Commission.

In the backdrop of this development, a political tug-of-war is evident between JMM and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

BJP state president Babulal Marandi and MP Nishikant Dubey have opposed the by-election, with the latter urging the Election Commission to refrain due to the remaining short tenure of the Jharkhand Assembly.

JMM’s recent action counters this stance, intensifying the political dynamics in Jharkhand.