Recent election defaced Constitution, defiled democracy: O Joy
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 24 2024: Former law minister and veteran politician Okram Joy termed the first phase of 18th Lok Sabha election in Manipur as one of the most unfortunate elections for it not only defaced the Constitution but violated the ethos of democracy.

Addressing the media at his Kakwa residence on Wednesday, Joy said that the election was not conducted in a free and fair manner, thereby violating the Constitutional rights of the people to elect representatives of hie own choice.

The government is to blame for all malpractices witnessed during this election, he stated.

The veteran politician continued that he felt ashamed to campaign during the polls.

The government needs to look into how the situation came into being instead of playing dumb, he said, adding that history is a witness to all that have occurred till date.

Further stating that he has never seen an election like this in all his lifetime, the veteran politician said that all of the candidates contesting the election want to serve the people who have the right to choose the candidate they want.

However, the situation on the polling day has made it difficult to ascertain whether the people will get their wish fulfilled or not.

Aside from being "unfree and unfair", some have deprived the people of their right, while the government continues to spectate silently, he said.

Joy then questioned whether it is not responsibility of the government to uphold the image of democracy all over the country and the world.

The controversies which have broken out including intimidating voters, preventing presiding officers from performing their duty despite the presence of security personnel, and other numerous acts, should never have happened in the first place.

Further mentioning the infamy of the Lok Sabha polls in Manipur, Joy said that he had previously highlighted about the ill-timing of the polls and consequences of the same in the society, the conflict and the state overall.

While experts regard election as the biggest festival in a democracy, the same cannot be said in Manipur which is already reeling under a conflict since May 3 last with many injured and killed and thousands displaced, making it impossible to decide which candidate would be the best to represent them.

Joy continued that ECI conducts the election as per the mandate of the Constitution.

As such, the ruling government sought the permission of the Governor to hold the polls, provided the law-and-order situation of the state is normal.

The chief secretary, after seeking opinions of the DCs and DGPs, considers whether the law-and-order situation is normal and then gives the go-ahead for conducting the election.

Prior to the polls, the DCs will announce the measures including security steps.

All of these are the responsibilities of the government, which enforces the Model Code of Conduct.

In addition to the security arrangements for different districts, each district had a security officer for enforcing the guidelines of ECI.

While the Code of Conduct was in place, there were reports of people being intimidated prior to polling day.

If the DCs, SPs and other security officers do not have enough manpower to cover the area, they can apply for additional teams.

Furthermore, there were reports of unrest in two districts, but the intelligence department, CS, DGP and CEO played ignorant.

Instead of taking up the requisite measures, no concrete action was taken, Joy remarked.

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