INC candidate alleges booth capturing
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 01 2022:
The election in Saikul AC of Kangpokpi district on Monday was a farce of the democratic process as it was alt about capturing the polling booths, alleged Indian National Congress (INC) candidate Lhingkim Haokip.
Speaking to newspersons on Tuesday, Lhingkim remarked that the voting exercise in Sarkul AC was unfortunate as involvement of militant groups in the polls and association with the candidates not only violated the rights of the citizens but also made a mockery of democracy.
She said that voters in many of the polling stations in Saikul AC were threatened by the militant outfits into voting for the candidates supported by them.
The outfits did not even shy away from capturing the booths, as was reported in the media on Monday.
"People of Saikul AC inherently love and support INC.
However, when INC workers arrived at the polling booths to cast their votes, the outfits restricted them from entering and captured majority of the polling booths.
Supporters of INC in many villages were and continue to be beaten up, making the idea of a free and fair election completely non-existent in the constituency.
If such acts were to continue, democracy would no longer have any meaning in the state," she stated.
Lhingkim denounced those candidates who are relying on the prowess of the militant outfits and suppressing the free will of the people.
She then extended appreciation to all her supporters and workers of INC in Saikul AC .