Maheshwar supporters cry foul
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 10 2022: Supporters of Keishamthong AC RPI (A) candidate Maheshwar Thounaojam are calling the election a fraud after the actor-turned politician lost out to independent candidate Sapam Nishikant by 187 votes in the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.

A large number of supporters of the RPI (A) candidate passed through Uripok Polem Leikai and tried to move towards the Imphal West DC office at Lamphelpat, while staging a huge protest.

However, the protestors were intercepted by police and a 4-hour long stand-off ensued.

Altogether, 5 candidates had contested in Keishamthong AC, wherein Nishikant won against his closest rival Maheshwar.

However, the latter's supporters were upset with the win and conveyed to the police that Nishikant secured 800 votes in one of the polling stations, which had around 900 voters, thereby making his (Nishikant) win highly unbelievable.

The supporters alleged that an election fraud had occurred while Maheshwar's agent was momentarily absent.

As the tense situation escalated, police personnel present in the area expressed their empathy but advised the supporters to submit their complaint through proper channels.

However, the stand-off continued for a long time.

Later, Maheshwar himself submitted a written request to DC Imphal West to recheck the vote count of three polling stations (12/39, 12/40 and 12/9) of Keishamthong AC, stating that the counting process in respect of the said stations was suspicious.

On the other hand, despite the protests staged by supporters of Maheshwar, after receiving news that he had won, Sapam Nishikant arrived at Imphal West DC and left with his certificate of election.

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