NPF petitions ECI on 'dubious' EVMs
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, May 20 2014 :
The Naga People's Front (NPF), Manipur State has submitted a complaint letter yesterday to the Chief Election Commissioner of India that there were about 40-45 unclosed EVMs since April 9 to May 16 thereby flouting the prescribed norms and procedures of counting of votes by the Returning Officers (ROs) concerned of the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency during the 16th Lok Sabha election 2014 .
The NPF complaint letter mentioned each and every EVM number that were displayed INVALID but counted.
The complaint letter signed by NPF Manipur State general secretary Athuan Abonmai said there have been prima facie evidences that EVMs used in the polling for the 16th Lok Sabha election in the seven assembly constituency segments of Thoubal district, which are included in the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, were found not closed till the morning of May 16, the day of the counting.
The NPF Manipur State complaint letter to the ECI said that around 40-45 EVMs were found to be in 'abnormal' condition.
"When the EVMs were opened for counting we found those EVMs displaying 'INVALID' after the result button was pressed.
On being objected, the RO concerned and his official staff warned our counting agents not to disturb the counting and then they bulldozed the counting and the closed buttons were pressed in the morning of the counting day itself" .
It said the counting went ahead for more than 40 unclosed EVMs without listening to their objection.
"Therefore, we demand the ECI to declare the counting results of those polling stations of Thoubat district null and void, and, revisit those EVMs used during the polling of the 16th Lok Sabha Election 2014 particularly of those seven assembly constituency segments of Outer-Manipur Parliamentary constituency in Thoubal district and dispense justice in the matter.
The ECI has been further urged to look into those EVMs that got blanked in the five polling stations of Churachandpur district, and, to peruse into the procedural lapses and unfair means committed against the norms of the ECl, the NPF, Manipur State said.