Shillong : The Voice of the People Party (VPP) is awaiting the Meghalaya High Court’s decision on the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for its Shillong Lok Sabha byelection candidate Batskhem Myrboh, but the party cannot afford to remain idle as the bypoll is expected to be held in October or November, Mawlai MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang said on Friday.
Myrboh, a faculty member at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), is yet to receive the mandatory NOC from the university to contest the election. The matter is currently pending before the Meghalaya High Court.
Speaking to reporters, Marbaniang expressed confidence that the High Court would soon issue its order.
“The matter is now before the Meghalaya High Court. I believe the court will deliver its order within a day or two, and whoever is concerned will have to comply with that order,” he said.
Marbaniang maintained that under the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, there should be no obstacle in granting the NOC.
“As per UGC regulations, once a person completes one year of service, if there are any adverse remarks, the management should inform the employee. If there is nothing adverse, the appointment is deemed confirmed, and once confirmed, NEHU should simply issue the NOC,” he said.
Responding to questions on the delay by NEHU, Marbaniang said the reasons were known only to the university authorities.
“That is for them to explain. We do not know the reason. However, with the election likely to take place in October or November, we cannot just sit idle. We have to continue preparing for the contest,” he added.
The Shillong Lok Sabha seat fell vacant earlier this year, necessitating a byelection. The VPP has already announced Batskhem Myrboh as its candidate for the upcoming parliamentary contest.