ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Jul 19: In a significant political development, the Itanagar Bench of Gauhati High Court has declared the 2019 election of MLA Karikho Kri (Independent Candidate) from the 44-Tezu assembly constituency in Lohit district null and void.
The Court's verdict came on Monday in response to an election petition filed by Congress candidate Nuney Tayang, who challenged the declaration of the 2019 Assembly election result. Tayang alleged that Kri had made false declarations in his election nomination paper by failing to disclose his occupation of a government accommodation, namely MLA Cottage No 1 located in ‘E’ Sector, Itanagar. The petitioner further claimed that Kri did not submit "No Dues Certificates" from the concerned department for the rent, electricity charges, water charges, and telephone charges of the government accommodation.
Justice Nani Tagia, who presided over the hearing of the petition, stated in the order that "Kri had not submitted his nomination paper in accordance with Section 33 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and therefore, his nomination paper is liable to be rejected under Section 36 (2)(b) of the same Act."
The Court thoroughly considered the matter and concluded that the respondent No. 1 (K Kri) had not adhered to the requirements outlined in Section 33 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. As a result, the nomination paper of respondent No. 1 was deemed to be rejected under Section 36(2)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The Court also pointed out that the Returning Officer of Tezu failed to reject Kri's nomination paper, making the acceptance of his nomination paper improper and materially affecting the election.
In response to the High Court's judgment, the Councilor of the petitioner has submitted a letter of the judgment to the Chief Election Officer (Arunachal Pradesh) and the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, urging them to take immediate action.
Meanwhile, an interlocutory application filed by Kri was rejected by the High Court on Tuesday.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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