Rights of voters threatened
Source: The Sangai Express / Jacob Panmei
Jiribam, July 16:
Thanks to the goof up by the State Election Commission, hundreds of voters in Jiribam face the bleak prospect of not being able to vote for at least another five years as their photographs are missing on the electoral list which was put up yesterday.
Hundreds of people received the shock of their lives when they saw that their photographs were missing on the electoral list, though their names were mentioned.
The list is put up in the office of the ADC.
Photographs of the eligible voters were taken a couple of months back.
Adding woes to the people was the brisk announcement from the ADC office that anyone without photographs will not be allowed to cast his or her vote.
Officials from the ADC office further informed the people that July 15 being the last date no complaint will be entertained after this and cited the directives of the ECI.
Talking to this correspondent, SDC Collection, Md Rahimuddin said that some more time ought to be given so that the rights of the people are not trampled.
ADC of Jiribam Y Iboyaima pointed the finger of accusation for the lapses to the employees who were assigned to the electoral process of the sub-division.
On the other hand, the Electoral Registration Clerk, S Ningthouremba said that utmost care was taken to avoid any error while compiling the photos and added that all the snaps were stored in a compact disc which was later sent to the Chief Electoral Officer at Lamphel.
One of the peeved voters, whose photograph was found missing alleged that an officer assigned to prepare the list is politically motivated and added that a conspiracy cannot be ruled out.