Shillong: The United Democratic Party, a constituent of the ruling National People's Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government on Tuesday appealed to the Election Commission to hold simultaneous bypolls for South Tura and Ranikor Assembly constituencies.

On Monday, the commission had notified the schedule only for the South Tura bypoll which will be held on August 23, where chief minister Conrad K. Sangma will seek election to the Assembly.

However, the commission was silent on the date for the Ranikor bypoll.

Conrad, who took over as the chief minister on March 6, is still a Lok Sabha MP representing Tura. He has to become a member of the Assembly within six months since the day he took oath as chief minister.

Former Union minister Agatha K. Sangma had resigned from her South Tura Assembly seat earlier this month to pave the way for Conrad's election to the Assembly.

However, before her, senior Congress leader Martin M. Danggo had resigned as a member from the Ranikor Assembly constituency on June 21.

He will seek fresh election as a candidate of the NPP.

"It is felt that since the two constituencies are in Meghalaya, it would be advisable to hold the elections simultaneously, thereby leaving no chances for political influences and manipulation, holding in place the commission's advocacy of free and fair elections," UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said in a letter to chief election commissioner Om Prakash Rawat.

Mawthoh also said the commission's announcement was "surprising", considering the case of Ranikor constituency where the legislator had resigned much earlier.

However, till date, no announcement for the election has been made.

The party leader requested the Chief Election Commissioner to notify the same election date for both the constituencies to ensure free and fair polls, which would augur well for the people and leave no room for casting aspersions.

"We find no justification to hold the elections on separate polling dates for the two constituencies. Ranikor constituency deserves an earlier election than South Tura constituency since the people of Ranikor have been without an elected representative much earlier than South Tura," Mawthoh added.