MHRC urged to postpone IUCB election
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 13 2021: The Board of Directors of Imphal Urban Co-Opera-tive Bank (IUCB) Limited has filed a petition to Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) urging for postponjng the upcoming board election on August 17, taking into account of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic situation in the state.

The petition was filed by Thounaojam Binita and Kongbrailatpam Damayanti with the state government represented by the chief secretary, commissioner/secretary (co-op), deputy commissioner Imphal West, Registrar of Co-Operative Societies Manipur, Returning Officer Election of Delegates and board of directors of IUCB as respondents.

According to the petition, the Covid-19 pandemic has heavily impacted the state despite the best efforts made by the government to control it.

The number of positive cases and deaths are still quite high.

Amid this, the Returning Officer Election of Delegates and board of directors issued a notice on July 30 for holding the election on August 17, in ompliance with a judgment of the High Court of Manipur.

The petitioners argued that the judgment of the Court did not mention any specific date for holding the election.

The petitioners are not against the conduct of the election.

However, it is not reasonable to do so amidst the current pandemic.

Around 345 delegates are eligible to vote in the election, and with over 20 agents of the contesting candidates including bank staff, security, etc., around 400 people would be congregating for the election.

Some of the elected/delegate voters have tested positive for Covid-19 while some are in containment zones.

As per the government guidelines, their movements are restricted.

Thus, it is impractical to conduct the election amidst such a dire situation, the petitioners said.

They further mentioned the guidelines issued by the chief secretary, who is also the chairman of State Executive Committee, from time to time does not cover the conduct of an election of a bank.

Thus, conducting the election amidst such a dangerous situation would only put the lives of all involved at risk, not to mention of increasing the rate of transmission of the virus.

Taking into account of all of the aforementioned issues, the petitioners appealed to the Commission to recommend the respondents for holding the election after the pandemic subsides, possibly after a month and also to take up all appropriate action with regard to the issue.

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