Indira questions RO's credibility
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 26 2014: Indira Oinam, who would be contesting in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency in the ensuing Lok Sabha election has questioned competency and integrity of the election's Returning Officer.

Indira Oinam, the lone woman candidate contesting the election as an independent in Inner MPC told newspersons today that her formal intimation to the RO for detailed information on service voters, who would be casting votes in the Parliamentary election, is yet to evoke positive response till date.

Stating that indifferent attitude of the RO to her plea amounts to not only depriving right of a candidate to have election-related information but seems to be a ploy to deny the candidate reach out to the service voters, she said through internet downloading it came to light that 2976 service voters would be eligible to exercise their franchise right in the election.

Apart from listing the number of service voters the website's information is limited to home addresses of these service personnel and not about their present place of posting which would otherwise enable the candidates concerned seek their support, Indira expressed.

Maintaining that if there is adequate information (place of posting) an individual candidate could sent postal ballot within 48 hours of scrutiny process, she also opined that the Chief Electoral Officer is answerable on whether or not over 70,000 Manipuris working or studying outside the State have been participating in the largest and important democratic exercise of the country.

Suggesting that a proper record on the number of eligible voters staying outside would also be helpful in checking proxy voting, she also observed that office of the CEO unable to provide relevant details compels one to speculate on the competency and sincerity of the State election authorities.

Noting that such a huge number of eligible voters could be the deciding factor in elections, Indira Oinam charging election officials of lacking transparency demanded that all relevant information should be provided to atleast the candidates contesting the election.

Meanwhile, one Sougrakpam Noren, who reportedly collected nomination forms declared before the newspersons that he will not be filing the nomination papers.

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