Candidate decries
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 28 2022:
INC candidate contesting the 12th State Assembly Constituency in Heingang Assembly Constituency, Pangeijam Saratchandra has stated that the polling in the first phase today will not be able to ascertain the true public mandate.
Saratchandra made the statement while addressing media persons this evening at his Heingang Mayai Leikai residence.
He said that CM N Biren, who is his rival, has been talking about peaceful and proper conduct of elections to the State Assembly.
Contrary to his calls, election agents of INC candidates were allegedly denied entry or dispelled from as many as 11 polling stations of the total 45 polling stations in Heingang Assembly segment, he said.
INC agents for 2/1 Awang Potsangbam Khunou Maning Leikai, 2/2 Awang Potsangbam Khunou Mamang Leikai, 2/3 Keikol, 2/7 Mongjam, 2/11 Koirengei Bazar, 2/12 Luwangsangbam, 2/14, Koirengei Kabui, 2/16 Luwangsangbam Mamang Leikai, 2/27 Kontha Ahallup Awang Leikai, 2/30 Kairang Muslim Awang Leikai and 2/44 Lamlongei polling stations were denied entry, he alleged.
Further, nearly 50 supporters of INC were allegedly detained by personnel of Heingang police station last night and released at around 3 pm today when the polling was about to conclude.
Considering all these, he had approached polling officials and personnel concerned to put the polling on hold but his requests were unheard, he said.
As such, today's voting can never truly reflect the true mandate of the electors, he said while adding that he had written a complaint to the RO concerned and CEO, Manipur.