Candidates allege booth siege in Henglep AC
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 01 2022:
Alleging capturing of booths by different underground groups in the first phase election to the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly in Henglep assembly constituency, which went to the polls on Monday, four candidates of the constituency have demanded re-poll in 22 polling stations.
A written complaint in this regard has been made jointly'to DEO Churachandpur on Tuesday by four candidates namely T Thangzalam Haokip of Shiv Sena, Nehminthang Haokip of NPP, T Manga Vaiphei of INC and Genneikhup Vaiphei of JDU.
In the joint compliant, the candidates alleged capturing of booths by different underground groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) particularly Kuki National Front (MC), Kuki National Front (Zougam), Kuki National Front (Samuel) and Kuki National Army.
These underground groups supported BJP candidate in the constituency and threatened voters who backed Shiv Sena, NPP and INC candidates.
These underground groups also snatched voter's slips of Shiv Sena, NPP and INC supporters and disallowed them from exercising their franchise, the candidates mentioned in the complaint.
The complaint further specified that booth capturing happened at 57/7 Saichang, 57/4 Khanpi, 57/16 Henglep, 57/3 Songkhong, 57/19 Phoipi, 57/21 Khungpi Naosen, 57/20 Majuron Kuki, 57/28 Kuki Mun, 57/30 Tumjangphai, 57/31 N Chingphei, 57/29 L Khengjang, 57/34 Khoirentak Khuman, 57/36 Nalon, 57/37 Khousabung, 57/35 Ningthichin, 57/38 Sempangjang and 57/39 Molsang polling stations.
The complaint, however, did not mention five polling stations where the candidates alleged capturing of booths but pointed, out that video of the webcam installed at these polling stations were evidences of the malpractice.
The complaint further demanded repoll in all 22 polling stations as per Section 135 (A), 58 & 58A of Representation of People's Act 1951 by declaring the voting process on Monday as null and void.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena Manipur state unit has strongly decried the incidents of booth capture that allegedly happened in 23 polling stations of Henglep AC and demanded repoll in all the 23 polling stations.
Talking to media persons at Shiv Sena Manipur office here Tuesday, party's candidate T Thangzalam Haokip contended that underground groups under SoO colluded with BJP candidate and indulged in Booth capturing at 23 polling stations.
He also said that a written complaint in this regard has been submitted to DEO Churachandpur.
Shiv Sena Manipur president M Tombi, who also attended the press conference, said BJP candidate in collusion with SoO underground groups indulged in booth capturing at 23 out 60 polling stations of Henglep AC.
Some voters repeatedly cast votes in these polling stations and this has raised apprehension whether the election was actually selection, he said and stressed the need for the election conducting agencies to look into denial of voting rights to genuine electors.