Imphal, February 11: MPP candidate L Jatra Singh who was pitted against Congress candidate and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh at Khangabok AC of Thoubal district during the first phase of the Assembly election held on February 8 has contended that voters of Khangabok AC could not exercise their franchise in a free and fair manner.

The main reasons for the inability of the voters to exercise their franchise in a free and fair manner is the delaying tactics adopted by the polling officials and denying many eligible voters who have already been issued the tokens to cast their votes after 3.30 pm, Jatra said while addressing a press conference at MPP office here.

Jatra, who is also the general secretary of MPP pointed out that in the home polling stations of Congress candidate and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh like 11/35 Khangabok, 27/35, 28/35, 29/35, 30/35, 31/35 and 32/35 Thoubal Athokpam the percentage of voting recorded was 98.In 27/35 Athokpam alone it was 99.2 percent and 99.3 percent at 29/35 Athokpam.

Influencing the polling officials and the security personnel by the head of the Government for his own interest during a democratic election is really unfortunate, Jatra said.

Despite having used all the possible unfair means by the Chief Minister, I would emerge as the successful candidate, Jatra claimed.

Although the election has been over, police commandos have been coming to Khangabok village soon after sunset every day and indulging in indiscriminate firing to create fear psychosis among the people, he charged.

The police commandos have also been bashing up all the youth coming along the road without any reason, he said adding that even students could not concentrate in their studies in such a disturbed atmosphere.

�As a result of the indiscriminate firing by the police commandos, one 44-year old N Mohen fainted at around 10 pm yesterday and later he passed away�, Jatra charged.

He also appealed to the Police Commandos to stop such act of terrorising the people at once.