ECI declares re-poll at 12 polling stations
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 03 2022:
The Election Commission of India has declared election held on February 28 (Monday) at 12 polling stations of five assembly constituencies in the first phase of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly elections as null and void and scheduled March 5 (Saturday) as the date for re-poll/fresh poll at the said polling stations.
The votes would be cast from 7 am to 4 pm.
In a letter addressed to Manipur Chief Electoral Officer, ECI under-secretary Santosh Kumar Dubey informed that the Commission on the basis of available reports and after taking all material circumstances into account declare, under sub-section (2) of Section 58 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, that the poll taken on February 28 at the 12 polling stations to be void.
It also said that all the DEOs, ROs and observers shall be informed of the programme of re-poll/fresh poll, accordingly and also added that wide publicity of the programme of re-poll/fresh poll shall be given in polling areas concerned and political parties and contesting candidate be informed in writing.
On the other hand, a statement issued by Manipur CEO Rajesh Agrawal informed that the re-poll would be held at 1/20-Sarouthel (Khundrakpam AC), Imphal East; 51/46-New Keithelmanbi (Saitu AC), Kangpokpi; and 56/5-Songsang, 56/10-Maite and 56/19-Tinsuong (Thanlon AG); 57/20-Majuron Kuki, 57/31-N Chingphei, 57/34-Khoirentak, 57/39-Molsang and 57/49-Leinom (Henglep AC); 60/36-Teikot and 60/43-Maukot (Singhat AC) in Churachandpur district.
The release stated that the proposal for re-poll in these polling stations was recommended based on the facts and information received/reported from respective Returning Officers.
One of the main reason for consideration of re-polling was connected to damage, of EVMs by miscreants during and after the poll.
These kind of incidents lead to major discomfort to the electors of the polling station as their right to franchise gets infringed on the poll day and they will now need to come out again to exercise their rightful franchise on the day of re-poll, it said.
The CEO also urged all electors of these polling stations to come out in big numbers to exercise their franchise and regretted inconvenience caused due the incidents.