Photo verification reports send to ECI
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 20 2012:
With the photo verification and comparison process conducted over all the complaints lodged by different political parties and individuals in connection with the recent election to the state Assembly over, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Manipur has sent a final report to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The photo verification process to detect proxy voting was carried out under the supervision of CEO along with Central Observers deputed by ECI for the purpose.
With completion of the photo verification of the electorates, the final report has been forwarded to ECI by late evening today through email, a reliable source disclosed.
The source said that a large number of bogus votes were detected during the photo verification and comparison process conducted with the help of a software known as Picasa.
In case of Churachandpur, an interesting case was detected where a single woman electorate cast vote 76 times.
Complaints for re-poll in as many as 500 polling stations have been received from different political parties and individuals.
Although it had been reported that ECI had given instruction to the State Election Officer for making necessary preparation for re-poll in some polling stations, the exact number of polling stations where the re-poll is to be held is not known or indicated by ECI.
A poll penal of ECI is likely to decide the matter after close examination of the full report of the photo comparison, the source said.
Meanwhile, there would be a teleconferencing between the officials of the ECI and the officials of State Election Office tomorrow.
Three Special Observers and two officials from ECI are set to arrive here on February 22 on a one-day visit to meet with all the leaders of different political parties who have lodged complaints with CEO and ECI.
Subsequently, the ECI officials would hold another meeting in New Delhi over the complaints and photo comparison report before announcing a schedule for re-polling on February 23, the source added.
On the other hand, Kuki Chiefs' Association, Chothe Tribe Union,Chandel and Thadou Students' Association, Chandel have opposed to repoll in any of the polling stations under 41-Chandel (ST) Assembly Constituency.