Imphal, April 30 2009: Even as some political parties particularly MPP and CPI have been undertaking various agitation and movements demanding re-poll in some polling stations under Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency on the ground that there were mass rigging and other malpractices on April 22, the day of polling, there is no sign of conducting any repoll, disclosed an official source.

The Chief Electoral Officer of the State presented a detailed report on the allegations of malpractices in some polling station before the full commission of the Election Commission of India today.

The CEO also submitted another report on the agitation undertaken by MPP which included burning of effigies of some polling officials.

CEO Sambhu gave his statement along with submitting report before the full commission of the ECI which included Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla, and Election Commissioners Dr SY Quraishi and Sampat at 11 am today.

In his statement, the CEO denied allegation of MPP and CPI that unarmed VDF personnel were deployed in 11 polling stations under Andro AC.

The CEO's report said that there were no reports from relevant polling officials about forbidding polling in polling station No.7/9 Huikap Jr High School (Left Wing) after 8 am and at 7/10 Huikap Junior High School (Right Wing) after 1.10 pm as alleged in the complaints filed at the ECI.

Armed BSF personnel were deployed in polling stations number 7/13 Poirou Khongjin (A) LP School, 7/14 Angtha Khunou LP School, 7/30 Changamdabi (B) Nungaipokpi LP School, 7/31 Nungbrang Primary School, 7/32 Keithelmanbi Nongpok Keithelmanbi Primary School, 7/34 Tumukhong LP School and 7/36 Itham LP School, clarified the CEO.

However, 14 unarmed VDF personnel were deployed in 7/33 and 7/35 polling stations opened at the same building of Moirangpurel LP School.

No armed security personnel were deployed at these polling stations as it was located near a company post of 115th Bn BSF in addition to informing the BSF in advance to provide security cover and to take up immediate actions in the event of any untoward/disruptive activities, CEO mentioned in his report.

Reports furnished by SP Imphal East district, sectoral Magistrate and other concerned polling officials did not mention anything about poll rigging or untoward incidents.

Quoting report of the SP Imphal East that rejected allegations of CPI and MPP of unarmed VDFs deployed with a ploy to indulge in rigging, the CEO asserted that there was no incident of any malpractice.

Details of poll percentage recorded in the previous election and the recent election at the polling stations in question were also included in the CEO's report.

The documents submitted by the CEO in support of his clarification against the allegations of malpractices and rigging were studied by the ECI officials.

Even as the statement of clarification given by the CEO on the allegations of CPI and MPP and their demands for repoll were analysed, no definite decision was declared for today.

But if the ECI goes by the statements and documents of the CEO, there is little likelihood of conducting repoll in the polling stations in question, conveyed the source.

On the other hand, the CEO urged upon the ECI officials to look into and take up necessary action against MPP for violating election code of conduct in the course of its agitation for repoll.

The CEO's representation submitted in the form of a report mentioned that effigies of CEO Sambhu and Imphal East DC/DEO/RO M Lakshmikumar were set ablaze in front of MPP office on April 26 .

The agitation was covered clearly not only in local dailies of Manipur but also in the national paper The Telegraph, it mentioned.

Asserting that such mode of agitation by a recognised political party to exert pressure on election machinery was against Para 3 (8) of the Election Model Code of Conduct, the CEO appealed to the ECI to take up necessary actions.

Though the ECI did not make any comment on the CEO's complaint, it is possible that the ECI may take up some actions.

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