Hyderabad: The All India Majlis-e- Ittehadul Muslimeen has decided to appeal against cancellation of the party’s registration by the Maharashtra State Election Commission, besides exploring legal options available before it to challenge the decision of the EC before a court of law.

According the legal experts, political parties have the right to appeal against the decision of the Election Commission under the law and also question the action of the EC before the court.

S. Sriram, who appeared for the YSR Congress in the party’s affiliation and symbol allotment cases, said, “In case of suspension of recognition of a party for a specific period, it has the right to move the EC for restoration of the recognition. In case it is derecognised, the party has to move before the court of law in accordance with the provisions under the Representation of People’s Act and also the Regulations of the EC.

When contacted, MIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said that the Maharashtra state unit of the MIM will take care of the issue. Meanwhile, MIM Floor leader in the Maharashtra Assembly and Aurangabad MLA Imtiaz Jaleel, in a release, informed that the party had received a notice from the EC some four months back asking why its registration should not be cancelled.

Mr Jaleel said that in response to the notice, a team of the MIM leaders from Hyderabad had visited the SEC office in Mumbai and had completed all the formalities required, including submission of IT returns of the party.

He said that since the EC has now cancelled the MIM’s registration they will go in for appeal soon after receiving the cancellation of recognition letter from the Election Commission.

Mr Jaleel said that the MIM respects the independent nature of the Election Commission and fully honour its decision to bring transparency in the election process.

He said that the MIM will meanwhile gear up for the upcoming local body elections as they are very crucial for the party to expand its base. Mr Jaleel stressed that the MIM will contest with full force.