NPF peeved with pics comparison
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 12, 2012:
The NPF Manipur State Unit has expressed its displeasure to the Election Commission of India (ECI) for ordering photo comparison of the electorates in the stronghold areas of the party.
The party alleged that the order was issued under the whimsical interest of INC candidates who have already lost their battle in the democratic election processes.
A press statement issued by its Advisor PA Thekho said that the recently concluded election was conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner.
However, the ECI ordered photo comparison at the behest of the INC candidates even after the repolling has been completed and a lapse of 15 days from the date of polling, the statement added.
There were valid complaints lodged in time by several candidates from different political parties including the NPF to the respective Returning Officers (ROs) of the concerned districts, it said and added that genuine complaints other than those of the INC candidates were however thrown into the dust bin violating election rules.
NPF also demanded for early review of all the complaints and entertain all the genuine complaints that were lodged to the Returning Officers by other parties including NPF.
Maintaining that NPF entered into the poll fray with a view to restore the people's faith in the rule of law and to reaffirm their fate and destiny in the democratic ethos and values, the statement said that if the wisdom of the ECI were to be allowed to let loose in such a manner, the tribal people in the little corner of the North East of India would question the sanctity and integrity of the Commission of the largest democracy in the world.