Stage ready for re-polling in 67 polling stations in hill dists today
Five truant polling personnel suspended; rest reach their destinations
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 03 2012: Even as decks have been cleared for re-poll in 67 polling stations of nine Assemby Constituencies in five hill districts tomorrow, five polling officials have been suspended for failing to report for poll duties.

All polling personnel and security personnel who would be deployed for duty during the re-poll tomorrow have also reportedly reached their respective destinations by late evening today.

With deployment of micro observers in addition to security personnel, all the polling stations which would go for re-poll under close watch.

The CEO Manipur has also advised the Presiding officers, polling personnel and DEOs to strictly follow the new guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India.

Besides the para-military forces to be deployed in and around the polling stations; state police forces, Assam Rifles and Army personnel posted in the state would be extending assistance towards ensuring peaceful conduct of the re-poll.

In the meantime, an office order of Chandel DC has suspended five polling officials on the ground of not reporting for re-poll duties in Chandel district.

The suspended officials are DIO of DIPR Chandel S Deven (Polling Officer No 1), Electricity lineman L Iboton (Polling Peon), Assistant Teacher S Hemanta (Polling Officer No 3), Assistant Teacher N Ajit (Polling Officer No 1) and Research Analyst of Planning Department M Madhuchandra (Presiding Officer) .

On the other hand, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against the Violation of Democracy in Wabagai Assembly Consituency submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur demanding the reason for not conducting re-poll in Polling Station No 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of Wabagai A/C even after the three Observers deputed by ECI have known that there were as many as 2500 cases of proxy votings in these polling stations.

Expressing serious concern over denial of the appeal for re-poll in the said polling stations, the JAC demanded to give a proper explanation on the matter by noon of February 4 .

It also demanded that 2500 votes related to the proxy voting should be invalidated during counting of votes.

If the ECI and CEO Manipur fail to fulfill the demand by tomorrow noon, the JAC will take up further course of stern agitation, the memorandum warned.

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