INDIA Bloc blames BJP of rampant malpractices
Repoll demanded in 47 polling stations
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 19 2024: INDIA Bloc Manipur has accused the ruling BJP of indulging in rampant malpractices in Inner Manipur PC which went to polls today.

Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhavan here this afternoon, MPCC president K Meghachandra, speaking on behalf of INDIA Bloc Manipur, said that it is normal to see some commotion in the State Assembly elections but no large scale malpractices or unwanted incidents were witnessed in the Lok Sabha elections held earlier in the State.

The worst ever Lok Sabha election was held today in the State under the ECI, CEO Manipur and the State Government, Meghachandra said.

Since some days back, unidentified armed persons were threatening agents of Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, the INC candidate in Inner Manipur PC and supported by INDIA Bloc, Manipur, he said.

INDIA Bloc blames BJP of rampant malpractices

Armed people, patronised by the BJP-led Government resorted to threatening and assaulting Congress agents, rigging and booth capturing following electors' refusal to vote en masse in favour of the BJP candidate, he said.

Taking serious note of these incidents, the MPCC has lodged a complaint with the CEO Manipur to hold repoll at 36 polling stations of Inner Manipur PC and 11 polling stations of Outer Manipur PC, Meghachandra said.

People know who were behind the exchange of fire between armed persons at Thamnapokpi, Bishnupur district, injuring a man in a firing incident that took place at Moirangkampu Sajeb under Khurai AC and other unwanted activities witnessed at different places, he said.

Those armed persons clad in black clothes and moving around openly in broad daylight are being patronised by the Government.

Even in sensitive polling stations where adequate numbers of State police and CAPF personnel were deployed, the armed persons barged in and forfeited the voting rights of many electors, Meghachandra alleged.

He also dismissed BJP's allegation that those people clad in black clothes were Congress party's supporters as baseless and outrageous.

He said that no Congress volunteer/supporter wears black fatigues.

Those people who have been threatening, assaulting Congress agents and pressuring people to vote for BJP are BJP's henchmen, he added.

The polling stations where INDIA Bloc Manipur have been seeking repoll include 2/23 Awang Potsangbam Khunou, 2/44 Lamlongei and 2/45 Matai Kabui, all under Chief Minister N Biren's Heingang AC.

Khurai AC's 3/7 Sawombung Kabui, 3/11 Moirangkampu Sajeb, 3/21 S Ibobi Primary School, Kshetrigao AC's 4/43 Bamonkampu, 4/44 Pioneer Academy, 4/45 Irilbung High School and 4/46 Irilbung High School, Thongju AC's 5/31 National Children's School, 5/32 Khongman Zone-V community hall, 5/42 Rainbow Education Sports Organisation (RESO), 5/43 Social Youth United Club and 5/44 Takhok Mapal High School; Keirao AC's 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 are also included in the list of polling stations where INDIA Bloc Manipur is seeking repoll.

The other polling stations where repoll has been sought are Andro AC's 7/38 Nungaipokpi Primary School, Yaiskul AC's 14/18 Indo-Burma Road Sporting Association (IBRSA) Club; Sekmai AC's 16/15 Khurkhul Leirenjao Upper Primary School, 16/16 Khurkhul Model Standard High School, 16/17 Sadar Patel High School (North Wing), 16/18 Khurkhul Gram Panchayat Ghar and 16/19 Sadar Patel High School (South Wing); Konthoujam AC's 18/21 Khaidem Upper Primary School (North Wing) and 18/22 Khaidem Upper Primary School (South Wing); Oinam AC's 25/01 Leimaram High School (South Wing), 25/02 Leimaram High School (North Wing), 25/19 Yumnam Khunou Aided Junior High School; Moirang AC's 27/03 Sunusiphai Government Lower Primary School (Right Wing), 27/04 Sunusiphai Government Lower Primary School (West Wing) and 27/07 Thamnapokpi Government Primary School (East Wing) .

MPCC has also been seeking repoll in 11 polling stations of Outer Manipur PC namely; Sugnu AC's 39/14 Wangoo Sabal UP 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 UP School (new building), 39/19 Chairen LP School.

39/20 Nunggu Khongyam UP School, 39/21 Chairen High School, 39/22 Tangjeng UP School, 39/34 Wangoo Warukhok Primary School and 39/35 Wangoo Laipham Awang Primary School.

Armed men clad in black fatigues and allegedly working at the behest of BJP resorted to threatening/assaulting Congress agents, poll rigging and booth capturing at all these polling stations, Meghachandra added.

INDIA Bloc, Manipur convenor and CPI(M) State Secretary Ksh Shanta and other leaders of the bloc were also present at the press meet.

Meanwhile MPCC working president Kh Devbrata has appealed to all the people to submit photographs and video recordings of the electoral malpractices perpetrated by BJP with the help of armed men and the State machinery at different polling stations today to the MPCC.

Despite blatant violation of the election procedure and threatening of polling agents as well as voters, none of the State machinery did anything to check these disturbances, he said.