Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 12 (EMN): The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted an interim stay order on the Manipur High Court’s verdict that set aside Naga People's Front (NPF) MP Dr. Lorho S Pfoze’s election to the Lok Sabha over alleged error in his nomination paper.
Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Pfoze expressed satisfaction at the order of the High Court, which was in his favour.
"All the benefits and privileges of an MP will continue to remain with me except that I will not have voting rights in the Parliament. That is the stay order," he said.
“This order is essential for our state and also in the context of our party as election in Nagaland is also coming up. We are happy and we thank God for bringing us a favorable order.
"There was a lot of observation concerning the High Court's view. But we got the stay order now. But if the appeal comes from the respondent, it will come sometime in February for hearing and we may appear in the court every now and then.
“But this should not affect us and hopefully we should complete the term.
“I am still waiting for the final order. Other things are ok but we will see the issue of my voting rights.
“As the Judge was saying, the interim order was for five years but we may have to appear in the court now and then and depending on how aggressively the opposing party files, then we will have to find it out; otherwise, it should be ok. I am very happy with the outcome, hoping that the same should give our people a rest too,” he added.
The Manipur High Court had earlier nullified Pfoze’s election as MP of 2-Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary Constituency in the 17th Lok Sabha elections in 2019 and declared BJP’s Houlim Shokhopao Mate, alias Benjamin Mate, as the new MP.
The High Court said that Lorho had violated the instructions, notification and guidelines of the Election Commission of India and the mandatory provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 in committing illegality in the election expenditure and also exceeded the maximum limit for expenditure as prescribed.
Also read: Dr. Lorho S Pfoze to challenge High Court verdict on Lok Sabha election result