Polling disrupted after abduction of agents
Chandel NPF candidate Paulhring alleges malpractices
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 05 2022:
The conduct of election in three assembly constituencies of Tamenglong and Noney districts namely Tamei, Tamenglong and Nungba AC on Saturday was by and large peaceful with some minor incidents.
However, polling process was disrupted for about half an hour at Atong Guining village polling station under Tamenglong assembly constituency after two polling agents of NPP were reportedly abducted by a group of people suspected to be NPF supporters.
The incident occurred around 12.30 pm and it resulted in brief disruption in the voting process.
However, polling resumed from around 1 pm.
In Tamei AC, NPP candidate Z Kikhonbou Newmai filed a complaint to the returning officer alleging proxy voting and attempt of booth capture in Impah and Thiulon polling stations while seeking immediate intervention.
In the complaint, Kikhonbou who is also a former MLA alleged that Naga People's Front (NPF) supporters at Thiulon village violated established rules and regulations of the representation of People Act 1951 and the code of conduct laid down by Election Commission of India (ECI).
Referring to Article 135 A (Offence of Booth capturing), he alleged that NPF took possession of polling station and allowed only their supporters to vote while preventing others from exercising their right.
He also mentioned fhat NPF issued direct and indirect threats to electors and- prevented them from going to polling station to cast their vote.
The complaint by Kikhonbou requested the returning officer to take necessary action against the perpetrators and declare votes polled at 52/37 polling station as invalid.
The complaint was also forwarded to the Manipur chief electoral officer (CEO), Tamenglong district election officer (DEO) and SP Tamenglong.
Meanwhile, NPF candidate in Chandel AC Langhu Paulhring Anal has alleged malpractices at several polling stations under Chandel AC during the second phase election on Saturday.
In a complaint filed to returning officer Chandel, Paulhring claimed that the election malpractices happened at polling stations 41/1 Purum Pantha, 41/2 Purum Khullen, 41/3 Wangparal, 41/4 Salemthar, 41/5 Thamlapokpi, 41/6 Heigru Tampak, 41/7 Leipung Tampak, 41/8 Thamla Khuren, 41/9 Lamkang Khurou, 41/10 Betuk Shangreng, 41/14 Leingangching, 41/15 Aihang, 41/16 Charangching Khullen, 41/42 Sugnu Tribal, 41/43, Boljang Tampak, 41/44 Sugnu Lamching, 41/45 Sugnu Lamhang, 41/46 Toupokpi, 41/48 Y Thingkangphei, 41/52 Paraolon, 41/57 Longja, 41/58 Teijang, 41/61 Paldai, 41/62 Molphei, 41/64 Khangbarol; 41/65 Lamphei, 41/66 Savompha, 41/67 New Songjang, 41/8 Sajik Tampak, 41/69 Joupi, 41/70 Changpoi, 41/71 Gamphajol, 41/72 Khengjoy, 41/73 Sehlon, 41/74 Hengshi, 41/75 Aishi, 41/76 Moingat, 41/77 Wayang, 41/78 Yangoulen, 41/79 Moicham and 41/80 New Samtal.
These polling stations were captured by unknown miscreants and polling officers in collaboration with BJP workers, with proxy voting conducted without any restraint.
Further, 28 Kuki dominated polling stations were controlled by the SoO groups, whose armed cadres seized all the voting slips, EVM machines were 'hijacked', only lotus symbol was made visible on EVMs and most of the CCTVs were un-operational, while NPF polling agents were intimidated and forced to leave the polling stations, it said.
The NPF candidate also alleged that when he and former MLA St Victor Nunghlung visited polling station No.41/3- Wangparal, they were attacked by a group of people in front of the security personnel, during which Nunghlung was injured and had to be taken to District Hospital Chandel for treatment.
Considering all these facts, he urged the RO to take necessary action for conduct of re-polls in these polling stations.