AICC urges free and fair poll
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 16 2022:
A team of the AICC submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer Manipur to ensure free, fair and peaceful election in the State in view of the 14 major incidents of poll violence that have taken place in 6 Assembly Constituencies.
The memorandum urged the CEO Manipur to declare the ACs where poll violence has broken out as hypersensitive, especially 33-Heirok, 23-Mayang Imphal and 44-Ukhrul ACs; direction to extend the judicial custody of all accused till the end of elections; taking up action against miscreants indulging in criminal intimidation against flag-hoisting of candidates in 2-Heingang, 50-Kangpokpi and 1-Khundrakpam ACs and replacing of all State police personnel with para-military forces.
The delegation led by AICC senior observer Jairam Ramesh alleged that the BJP is indulging in poll violence because they are sure to lose in the coming election.
He expressed concern that the State administration is not doing its best to ensure free and peaceful election and that is the reason for the submission of the memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer to intervene and use his Constitutional authority to ensure a free and fair election in the State.
AICC Manipur in-charge Bhakta Charan Das said that the democracy must not be tampered and law and order must be maintained.
He added that the people who are involved in pre-poll violence must be booked under law and asserted that the way BJP has been carrying out vandalism from the beginning clearly indicates that they are capable of doing more harm in the future.
K Meghachandra, MPCC working president said several poll related violence have already occured in the State and it needs to stop.
Moirang AC MLA P Saratchandra and MPCC office bearers were also part of the delegation.