Imphal, April 24 2009: ALLEGING RAMPANT rigging and contending that the ECI guidelines had been violated in the poll conducted in Andro Constituency on April 22, the MPP has demanded re-poll in the entire polling stations of Andro Assembly constituency.

Addressing a press conference today at his quarters in Babupara, MPP candidate of the inner Manipur constituency Thounaojam Chaoba said that the matter of violation of ECI codes and rigging of booths has been intimated to the Election Observer SY Quraishi.

Even as the ECI had acknowledged Andro AC as hyper-sensitive area, the same constituency was notified as 'normal' without the knowledge of state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shambhu, Chaoba said.

Though the use of state force was prohibited, the 'unrecognised' VDF personnel were deployed and assigned for polling duty which facilitated widespread and mass rigging by grabbing the opportunity.

"The MPP will not remain silent if no re-poll is conducted in the constituency," Chaoba affirms.

Saying that proofs were there over the anomalies of the polling in the constituency, Chaoba questions the essence of elections and significance of democracy when elections are not conducted properly and legally.

Chaoba said he is all set to apprise the matter to the state Governor and the CEC of Election Commission of India.

Chaoba further said that any outcome will be the responsibility of the ECI in this regard if the authority doesn't pay heeds to the matter.

Speaking on the occasion, the MPP Legislature Wing leader, O Joy said that it is desirable that the people of Andro AC and their representative MLA Shyamkumar re-consider their view as Shyamkumar was awarded the party ticket upon the insistence of the people, who later became the deputy speaker of the state Assembly.

Pointing out that the notification of declaring a constituency from hypersensitive to normal area should be approved by the Election Commission, O Joy lamented that Andro AC was declared 'normal' without the approval of the Election Commission.

There are material evidences to prove that the polling stations were manned by the VDF personnel instead of the Central Para-military, O Joy claimed.

"It will be wrong to take the matter lightly by the ECI," Joy asserts.

Cautioning that unwanted results may come out if no re-poll is conducted in Andro AC, O Joy said that the ECI will be held accountable for any outcome.

He said that the closet of Andro has been opened in collaboration with the Congress.

"It is a very unfortunate incident," MLA I Ibohanbi told the press conference.

He said that it is totally against the ECI's guidelines in using the VDF in place of the state force which also involved in rigging while strongly demanding re-poll in the AC.

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