BJP, the petitioner in the case, sought Hemant Soren's disqualification for "violating" electoral law
The Election Commission has sent its opinion to Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais on a plea seeking that Chief Minister Hemant Soren be disqualified as an MLA for "violating electoral law" by allegedly extending a mining lease to himself, sources said today.
The Election Commission's opinion was sent to the Jharkhand Raj Bhavan in a sealed cover this morning, sources told Press Trust of India.
The Jharkhand Governor had referred the matter to the poll panel.
Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP, the petitioner in the case, has sought Hemant Soren's disqualification for "violating" section 9-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deals with disqualification for government contracts.
Under Article 192 of the Constitution, if any question arises as to whether a member of a House of the Legislature of a state has become subject to any of the disqualifications, the question shall be referred to the governor whose decision shall be final.
"Before giving any decision on any such question, the Governor shall obtain the opinion of the Election Commission and shall act according to such opinion," it reads.
While dealing with such cases, the poll panel functions as a quasi-judicial body.
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