CPI holds ECI accountable for pre-poll violence
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 04 2022: Many instances of pre-poll violence ahead of the second phase of the elections are being reported from numerous places, raising the question whether the elections could be conducted in a free and fair manner.

So, it is regrettable that Election Commission of India (ECI) did not take up necessary steps to have the polls conducted in a peaceful manner, Communist Party of India-Manipur State Council (CPI-MSC) state secretary L Sotinkumar has remarked.

Addressing a press meet at Irawat Bhawan here on Friday, Sotinkumar accused BJP of fanning communal enmity during the polls.

CPI had hoped that BJP, which is a political wing of a disciplined organisation like RSS, would show good governance.

How-ever, contrary to the expectation, the BJP government is robbing the people in broad daylight, especially during this election, out of greed for power and money.

He continued: "An example of BJP causing deaths and injuries during the polls is the involvement of a sibling of the Heirok BJP MLA in one such poll-related death in the constituency.

However, the accused sibling was released on bail after the union minister went to campaign at Heirok.

Additionally, none of the other accused in the case have been arrested till date.

The union minister also seemed to be in support of covering the wrongdoings of the state BJP government, he said, "Furthermore, the JD (U) Kshetrigao candidate was also shot at, highlighting the cheapening of human lives under BJP government.

BJP did not refrain from using the SoO groups in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi to influence the voters either with money or gun power.

As such, 12 polling stations will go to re-poll, conveying the seriousness of the prevailing situation.

However, ECI has not mobilized additional forces to ensure the polls are held in a peaceful manner, which raises huge question on the so-called autonomy of ECI".

Sotinkumar then said that BJP's claim of winning 40 seats is likely based on its act of capturing booths and using money and muscle power.

Meanwhile, pre-poll violence ahead of the second phase continues, with reports of attacks on 30/40 households in Sugnu associated with Congress and CPI, and damages to polling booths and around 12 vehicles.

Thus, it is questionable whether the polls are going to be held in a free and fair manner.

There are reports of voters in Wangjing being threatened and intimidated that no agent except that of BJP should be allowed in the polling booths.

However, ECI is yet taken up any step in this regard, he remarked.

"Such undemocratic acts of BJP have created uncer-tainty in the peaceful lives of the people.

However, CPI will continue to fight to ensure the elections are held in a free and fair manner," Sotinkumar stated.

Sotinkumar then commented on the viral video which being circulating on social media of Kakching NPP candidate M Rameshwar putting his party's stole on Kakching ex-minister and CPI senior leader Th Tomba in the name of paying respects, terming it as unfortunate.

He then urged all concerned not to repeat such acts in the future.

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