In the face of damning evidences...

Candidates concede to proxy voting
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 13 2012: Even as the task of comparing voters' photographs taken on polling day with their EPIC photographs continued today under the supervision of ECI observers, some candidates have conceded to proxy voting.

In response to the 35 complaints received by the Election Commission on proxy voting, intimidation, booth capturing, the photo comparison work has been carried out in the office room of the Chief Electoral Officer at Lamphelpat since yesterday.

The photo comparison work was done by Returning Officers in different rooms together with the three special observers.

The same task was shown live on three televisions so that candidates and agents could follow the proceeding.

In the course of the photo comparison work, ample evidences about proxy voting were detected in many polling stations of Keirao, Andro, Wabagai, Tengnoupal, Thanlon, Tamei, Nungba, Churachandpur and Saikot ACs from where complaints were received.

It was also established that the same malpractice took place in the valley Assembly segments of Keirao, Andro and Wabagai.

Pictures don't lie

Speaking to media persons, Joint CEO N Praveen said that photo comparison work done in presence of the ECI-appointed observers has been completed today.

The photo comparison work covered 199 polling stations spanning over 13 Assembly segments.

The special observers have taken away all the documents related to the photo comparison work after they were duly signed by ROs.

The ECI would take a decision after hearing comments from the special observers, said the Joint CEO.

On being enquired whether the proxy votes should be treated as bogus votes, the Joint CEO said that the matter would be decided by the ECI based on the special observers' report.

Until then, the matter cannot be decided, he added.

On being asked further how much time the ECI would take in coming up with a final decision, Praveen said that the Commission would not take much time.

He also informed that reports of other polling stations were sent to the ECI by respective ROs.

Constituency-wise polling stations against which complaints have been received are five in Keirao, eight in Andro, 13 in Wabagai, 32 in Chandel, 10 in Tengnoupal, 6 in Saikul, 18 in Karong, six in Kangpokpi, 34 in Tamei, 4 in Nungba, one in Thanlon, 14 in Churachandpur and 26 in Saikot.

Congress candidate in Saikot AC TN Haokip conceded that there were some proxy votes.

He also acknowledged the ECI's good work referring to the photo comparison work.

BJP Media Affairs secretary L Basanta also noted that there were proxy votings in the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly elections.

He also appealed to exclude proxy votes from counting and count only the valid votes without wasting money and time on re-poll.

On being asked what kind of actions would be initiated against those who cast proxy votes, one Election official disclosed that nothing has been decided.

Nevertheless, he asserted that such malpractices merit actions of some kind.