MAYOL blames ruling party for poll malpractices
ECI orders repoll at 11 polling stations on Apr 22
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 20 2024: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued notification for repoll at 11 polling stations spread across five Assemby segments of Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.

Polling held at the particular 11 polling stations on April 19 has been declared void by the ECI, according to a press release issued by the Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur.

The 11 polling stations where repolling has been ordered are 3/11 Moirangkampu Sajeb Upper Primary School (Khurai AC), 3/21 S Ibobi Primary School (East Wing), Khurai Thongam Leikai (Khurai AC), 5/31 Khongman Zone (V) A, National Children's School (Thongju AC), Uripok AC's 10/1 Iroisemba Upper Primary School (Eastern Wing), 10/6 Iroisemba Upper Primary School (Western Wing) and 10/7 Iroisemba Upper Primary School (Middle Wing), Kshetrigao AC's 4/43 Bamon Kampu Upper Primary School, 4/44 Pioneer Academy, Bamon Kampu, 4/45 Irilbung High School (North Wing), 4/46 Irilbung High School (South Wing) and 18/22 Khaidem Makha (Konthoujam AC) .

MAYOL blames ruling party for poll malpractices

According to the CEO's press release, fresh poll would be held at these polling stations from 7 am to 5 pm on April 22 .

Earlier, the CEO wrote to the ECI and recommended repoll at six polling stations of Inner Manipur PC.

Citing rampant electoral malpractices, violence and disruption of polling, Congress party was deman- ding repoll in 47 polling stations including 36 in Inner Manipur PC and 11 in Outer Manipur PC.

The RO's report said that the polling held on April 19 at the six polling stations was vitiated to such an extent that the result of poll thereat cannot be ascertained.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Youth League (MAYOL) has blamed the ruling party for malpractices, violence and disruptions witnessed at several polling stations across the State yesterday.

The gross election malpractices including booth capturing and proxy voting reported during the Lok Sabha polls yesterday were manifestation of the symptoms of the disease Manipur is suffering from, said Manipur Youth League (MAYOL) president Asem Prince today.

He put the blame on the "ruling party" for the poll misconduct and alleged it was a desperate attempt to elect their candidate.

Speaking to reporters at its temporary office at Lamphel, Asem Prince said, "Manipur was the second State to have a democratically elected Government in South East Asia.

Elections were held in 1948 based on the Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947" .

However, the Lok Sabha elections for the Inner Mani-pur Parliamentary Consti- tuency held yesterday were marred with malpractices that violated people's right to universal adult franchise, he added.

There was violence during the poll hours, and rampant booth capturing and proxy voting were reported from many polling stations.

While the incidents were very unfortunate and highly condemnable, it was a manifestation of the symptoms of the disease Manipur is suffering from, Prince said.

"It was a sign of the society going backwards.

People should take this seriously.

It shouldn't be repeated in future elections," he said.

Prince further asserted that the malpractices witnessed yesterday were designed to "sow tension among us" .

Even though MAYOL had organised poster campaigns and mass awareness programmes to ensure free and fair elections, the elections were far from fair, he said.

The highly condemnable and indecent incidents that took place yesterday were the same as "throwing axe on one's own feet" .

It was not the things a developed society would do, and it had threatened the future of the State.

The elections will remain a big blot in the history of Manipur, he continued.

Prince said people must be made aware and empowered to face such challenges and misconduct in the future to save the future of the State and her people.

In a democracy, people should be able to choose their own candidates without intimidation and fear.

If the malpractices continue in the future, then Manipur and all the people including those who had disrupted the election yesterday would sink together, Prince said.

He appealed to all concerned and people to cast their votes fairly in the elections on April 26 for the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.

Elections for Inner Manipur PC and some segments of the Outer Manipur PC were held yesterday.

Counting of votes is scheduled on June 4 .