Soso Lorho petitions against Thangso, ECI, CEO, MPCC
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, July 22 2014: Soso Lorho, who contested the recent Lok Sabha polls from Outer Manipur Constituency on Naga People's Front (NPF) ticket, has filed a petition against MP (Outer) Thangso Baite, ECI, CEO (Manipur) and MPCC in the High Court of Manipur.

The complainant has filed the petition on the charges of tempering the EVMs by the Presiding Officers concerned by not pushing the Close Buttons of the EVMs used in the national election held at 14 polling booths in Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.

Soso Lorho filed the case in the Manipur High Court on July 9 last, Athuan Abonmai, general secretary, NPF, Manipur State Unit told a press meet at Manipur Press Club here on Tuesday.

He informed that the High Court of Manipur has admitted the petition after it held a motion hearing on it yesterday.

The court has ordered all the respondents-MP Thangso Baite, ECI, CEO (Manipur) and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee-to submit their reports before the court within four weeks, Abonmai said.

In the petition, the complainant urged the court to seal all the Electronic Voting Machines used in the 14 polling stations of 33-Heirok, 34-Wangjing, 35-Khangabok, 36-Wabagai, 37-Kakching, 38-Hiyanglam, 39-Sugnu, 57/11-Nungsai, 57/38-Molphai Tampak, 58/33-New Lamka, 59/41-Tuibong and 58/14-Churachandpur, 59/28-Saikot.It also urged for constitution of one expert committee for forensic examination and analysis of all EVMs used in the election to Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.

The petition requested to declare the election of Thangso Baite, who was re-elected from the Outer Constituency, as void and debar him from contesting further election for a period of six years.

The Election Commission of India and Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur should be directed to refund the election expenditure of Rs 25,18,313 spent by the petitioner, it said.

Soso Lorho was defeated by INC candidate Thangso Baite to retain the Outer seat by a huge margin in the 16thLok Sabha polls.

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