INDIA Bloc seeks re-poll in 47 polling stations
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 19 2024: Expressing serious remorse that the first phase of the 18th Lok Sabha election was marked by intimidations, threats and violation of democratic ethos, political parties of INDIA Bloc, which are extending support to INC candidates Dr Angom-cha Bimol Akoijam and Alfred Kan-Ngam Arthur petitioned the Election Commission of India and authorities concerned for re-polling in 36 polling stations in Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency and 11 under Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.

Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhawan here on Friday on behalf of the Bloc, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghachandra lamented that violence of such scale as witnessed on Friday never occurred in valley areas in the past many elections.

From Thursday night itself, armed persons went to houses of Congress agents and intimidated them.

On the polling day too, BJP workers indulged in malpractices and misconduct in several polling stations, he alleged.

Denouncing that the double engine government of BJP has destroyed democracy in Manipur, he said that numerous persons armed with AK-47 rifle resorted to proxy voting in addition to an elderly person suffering injury in a polling station under Khurai assembly constituency after some miscreant opened indiscriminate firing.

Accusing the BJP of violating rights of people by intimidating the electors and using muscle power in the first phase of Lok Sabha election, he questioned effectiveness of the so-called measures mandated by the Election Commission of India to conduct free and fair elections.

Meghachandra opined that BJP workers resorting to violence is testimony about realisation of the people not on their side.

He informed that written complaint has been forwarded to the Election Commission of India demanding re-poll in 36 polling stations under Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency and 11 in Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, where the rights of the voters were blatantly violated.

Similar complaints were also raised to Manipur Chief Electoral Officer, presiding officers and authorities concerned, he added.

The 36 polling stations of Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency mentioned in the compliant and proposed for re-polling are 2/23 Awang Potsangbam Khunou Upper Primary School, 2/44 Lamlongei Primary School and 2/45 Matai Kabui Primary School under Heingang assembly constituency; 3/07 Sawombung Kabui Khunou Primary School, 3/11 Moirangkampu Sajeb Upper Primary School and 3/21 Ibobi Primary School (East Wing) in Khurai AC; 4/43 Bamon Kampu Upper Primary School, 4/44 Pioneer Academy, 4/45 and 4/46 Inlbung High School (North Wing/South Wing) in Kshetrigao AC; 5/31 National Children s School, 5/32 Khong-man Zone-V Community Hall, 5/42 Rainbow Educational Sports Organisation (RESO), 5/43 Social Youth United Club and 5/44 Takhok Mapal High School in Thongju AC; 6/01 Kyamgei Youth Popular Club, 6/14 Arapti Mamang Leikai Lower Primary School, 6/15 Arapti Junior High School, 6/28 Langdum High School (North Wing) 6/29-Langdum High School (South Wing) and 6/37-Gamma Ray Club in Keirao AC; 7/38-Nungalpok-pi Primary School in Andro AC; 14/18 Indo-Burma Road Sporting Association (IBRSA) Club in Yaiskul AC; 16/15 Khurkhul Leirenjao Upper Primary School, 16/16 Khurkhul Model Standard High School, 16/17 Sardar Patel High School (North Wing), 16/18 Khurkhul Gram Panchayat Ghar, 16/19 Sardar Patel High School (South Wing) in Sekmai AC; 18/21-Khaidem Upper Primary School (North Wing), 18/22-Khaidem Upper Primary School (South Wing) in Konthoujam AC; 25/01-Leimaram High School (South Wing), 25/02-Leimaram High School (North Wing) in Oinam AC; and 25/19-Yumnam Khunou Aided Jr.

High School and 27/03-Sunusiphai Government Lower Primary School (Right Wing), 27/04-Sunusiphai Government Lower Primary School (West Wing) and 27/07 Thamna-pokpi Government A Primary School (East Wing) in Moirang A/C.The 11 polling stations under Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency are 39/14 Wangoo Sabal Upper Primary School, 39/15 Wangoo Tera High School (East Wing), 39/16 Wangoo Tera High School (North Wing), 39/17 Wangoo Tera High School (South Wing), 39/18 Wangoo Laipham Upper Primary School (New Building), 39/19 Chai-ren LP School, 39/20 Nungoo Khongyam Upper Primary School, 39/21 Chairen High School, 39/22 Tangjeng Upper Primary School, 39/34 Wangoo Warukhok Primary School and 39/35 Wangoo Laipham Awang Primary School in Sugnu AC.

Meghachandra urged the Election Commission to conduct re-poll for the aforementioned polling stations by fixing a date at the earliest.

Addressing the media, CPI (M) secretary Kshetrimayum Santa observed that the election testified complete sabotage of democracy where rights of voters were violated and constitution disrespected.

Such act of BJP is unfortunate, he condemned, while urging the people to support INDIA Bloc for restoration of democracy in the land.

He further said that election campaign for Congress candidate Alfred Kan-Ngam Arthur in Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency will be intensified.

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