Guwahati: During the vetting of candidates’ nomination papers for the Thongju Assembly constituency of Manipur today, an intriguing situation occurred when the affidavit of the congress candidate Seram Niken was discovered to be missing the signatures of the Notary and the Oath Commissioner.
According to the Election Commission of India’s standards, all affidavits filed by candidates with the returning officer must be countersigned by a Notary Officer, also known as an Oath Commissioner.
However, when the nomination papers presented by Congress Candidate Seram Niken were examined, it was discovered that the INC candidate did not have the signature of the Notary or the Oath Commissioner on any of the four affidavits he submitted.
The situation was serious since it may be interpreted as incomplete or contested. Furthermore, if anyone challenges it in the correct forum, this could become a roadblock in the candidate’s political future.
However, BJP candidate Biswajit did not raise any objections other than pointing it out and requesting that the Returning Officer recognise his candidacy, citing the Congress party’s and candidate’s ignorance.
Three candidates running for the Thongju Assembly constituency have passed the preliminary examination. Works Minister Th. Biswajit is running for the BJP, Seram Neken is running for the INC, and S. Preshyojit is running for the JDU.