CPI demands repolling in 16 Inner Manipur booths

SOBHAPATI SAMOM

IMPHAL, April 25 – The CPI has urged the Election Commission of India to recommend repolling in 16 polling booths in Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency which went to polls on April 22 last.

Dr Moirangthem Nara, CPI candidate in the Inner Manipur parliamentary seat conveyed this while addressing a hurriedly called press conference at Irabot Bhavan here on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, demanding immediate repoll, a hurriedly called Left Coordination Committee meeting at Irabot Bhavan on Friday decided to hold a sit-in demonstration against the malpractice by Congress workers in the recently concluded polling in Inner Manipur parliamantary constituency, at Keishampat Junction on Saturday.

“National Secretary A B Bardhan also asked us to pursue the Chief Electoral Officer’s office here”, he told reporters. The CPI State Council has been demanding re-polling in 11 polling booths under Andro Assembly constituency, one in Khundrakpam AC both in Imphal East district, 3 in Thoubal AC under Thoubal district and one at Patsoi AC in Imphal West district.

“Free and Fair poll was not allowed in three polling booths in Thoubal Assembly seat due to malpractices by Manipur CM’s relative-led Congress workers”, Dr Nara alleged. Thoubal AC is Chief Minister O Ibobi’s home constituency.

Laishram Sotinkumar, Election Agent of CPI candidate has submitted separate complaints to the Chief Election Commissioner through CEO Manipur in this regard.

An official of State Election department claimed that there is no official report of re-polling in the Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency in the State.

Dr Nara also alleged that one State employee N Brojan, husband of younger sister of Ibobi’s MLA wife Landhoni conducted proxy voting at three polling booths at Ningombam Girls’ LP school under Thoubal AC. Similarly, Congress workers committed widespread proxy voting in 11 polling booths in Andro AC too, he alleged.

The Communist leader also questioned the hidden agenda of the Congress-led Ministry for issuing a government order to replace Central Paramilitary forces personnel with the State forces like Manipur Rifles, Indian Reserve Battalion and Village Defence Force at polling booths in Thoubal just two days ahead of polling in Inner Parliamentary seat.