Imphal, February 13: Election Agent of Woba Joram - an Independent candidate in 48/Mao (ST) Assembly Constituency, has lodged a formal complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner with regard to certain malpractices in the first phase polling concerning 48/47, 48/48, 48/49 and 48/50 polling stations of Laii village.

According to a statement issued by the Election Agent, the villagers of Laii did not boycott the election but were forced to stay confined in their homes by some underground elements.

Contending that the said UG elements even threatened to kill them (villagers) if they defied the order, the statement also accused relevant officials, to whom the matter was apprised, of rejecting to accept a written complaint.

Another official intimation by representatives of Laii Village Authority on February 8 was placed before police authorities of Tadubi PS which was forwarded to SP, Senapati apart from Woba Joram, urging the CEC, RO (Senapati) and CEO (Manipur) highlighting the matter but to no avail till date, the Agent informed.

The statement also drew attention of the CEC on alleged misconduct by another independent candidate M Thohrii who is accused of personally damaging EVM at 48/15 (Shajouba-A) polling station at around 1 pm of February 8 in the presence of Presiding Officer and security force personnel.

Pointing out that such an incident had resulted in the ordering of repoll at Shajouba-A polling centre, the statement urge authority concerned to initiate appropriate punitive action against the guilty candidate.