Allegations fly, repoll demanded TC raises pitch, demands repoll in hill districts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 30, 2012: Levelling allegations that the Congress and the NPF parties had committed widespread proxy voting in the hill areas in the just concluded election to the 10th Legislative Assembly, the Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress Committee (MPTCC) has demanded that re-poll be conducted in the five hill districts.

On the other hand, the party has also has lodged a complaint with the election office demanding repoll at 46/31 Chingdaikhullen, 46/15 Ekou Mullam, 46/33 Khongbal Kuki (A), 46/33 Khongbal Kuki (B), 46/50 Songjang Mongjan, 46/22 Wakonphai, 46/51 Urangpat, 46/29 Khamenlok and 46/23 H Champhai.

All the said polling stations are at Saikul AC.

Addressing reporters today at the Manipur Press Club, MPTCC President Kim Gangte said that the electorate of the hill areas have been deprived of their voting rights.

She said that the Election Commission of India and Chief Electoral Office have been reminded of the matter time and again.

However, the ECI and CEO turned a deaf ear to the plights of the voters of the hill areas.

Failure to provide adequate security, and oversee the situation by election observers have resulted in rampant malpractices by some political party workers in the just concluded Assembly polls, Kim Gangte maintained.

Asserting that Congress and NPF have monopolised 90 percent of the votes in the hill areas, Kim Gangte lamented that the ECI and the CEO turned a blind eyes to these developments.

Affirming that the voting rights of the hill people can never be violated, Kim Gangte questioned what the ECI and CEO have been doing to ensure the franchise of the hill people.

She further asked if there could never be corrective measures to ensure the voting rights of the hill people.

Citing an instance, Kim pointed out that at polling station No 49/28 and polling Station No 49/30 in Tadubi AC, 99.01 and 99.02 percentage of voting were recorded respectively.

She also questioned the validity of such instances.

She further alleged booth capturing by Congress party at Polling Station No 28 in Saikot AC of Churachandpur district while also pointing out that security personnel had assaulted seven women at polling station No 42/38 in Tengnoupal AC.

A scuffle that followed resulted in the destruction of EVM.

The TC State unit President also alleged harassment meted out to voters by security personnel at polling station Nos 42/44, 42/38, 42/60.EVMs were destroyed by voters in all these stations.

She further maintained that many voters could not exercise their rights due to threats by UGs in Tengnoupal AC.

Speaking at the occasion, a TC candidate, Shyamkumar said that all the allegations of malpractices could be verified when the ECI and CEO closely observe the proceeding.

The same could be easily identified when comparation of the photos taken inside the booth and photos in the electoral roll are made.

TC candidate in Wangkhem AC, Abdul Karim said that the escort given to candidates should be retained till results of the elections are announced.

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