IMPHAL, Jan 31: Amidst demands for repoll made by several political parties including the Indian National Congress and Naga People’s Front, the state chief electoral officer has today announced repoll for 34 polling stations in 11 assembly constituencies of Chandel, Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts scheduled on February 4.
Addressing media persons this evening at the conference hall of Old Secretariat, CEO PC Lawmkunga stated that the decision for re-poll has been made as per the reports of the Returning Officers concerned and not on the basis of complaints made by the political parties.
The polling stations to be repolled in Chandel district are 41/23-Modi, 41/27-Unupat, 41/31-Larong and 41/40 Tampi of 41-Chandel assembly constituency and 42/8-Khunbi Khunou, 42/50-Moreh D, 42/58-Moreh H and 42/60-Moreh I (Part A) of 42-Tengnoupal assembly constituency.
The polling stations to be repolled in Ukhrul district are 45/41-Tora, 45/44-Somdal A-I, 45/45-Somdal A-II, 45/46-Somdal B, 45/49-Tuinem-A-I, 45/50-Tuinem-A-II, 45/54-Ringui, 45/56-Ngaimu-A and 45/57-Ngaimu-B of 45-Chingai assembly constituency.
The polling stations to be repolled in Senapati district are 48/22-Makhel of 48-Mao assembly constituency and 49/15-Mao Pungdung (A), 49/16-Mao Pungdung (B), 49/17-Chawainamai Khullen (A), 49/18-Chawainamai Khullen (B), 49/19-Chawainamai Khunou, 49/21-Makhan Centre (A) and 49/22-Makhan Centre (B) of 49-Tadubi assembly constituency.
The polling stations to be repolled in Tamenglong district are 52/41-Azuram of 52-Tamei assembly constituency, 53/3-Sonram (Sonpram) and 53/22-Duigailong of 53-Tamenglong assembly constituency and 54/9-Chakanlong (Tupui) of 54-Nungba assembly constituency.
The polling stations to be repolled in Churachandpur district are 55/1-Chingmun and 55/29-Senvon (B) of 55-Tipaimukh assembly constituency, 56/3-Savaipaih of 56-Thanlon assembly constituency and 57/36-Phuoljang of 57-Henglep assembly constituency.
The CEO further stated that 93 companies of central paramilitary forces would be deployed in the repoll. Stringent security measures have also been taken up to prevent any untoward incident in these polling stations.
Dwelling on the factors for lower poll percentage in this election, Lawmkunga stated that strict poll procedures have indeed lowered the poll percentage. Bogus voting and impersonation were strictly checked in this election, he noted.
The CEO further commended the efforts of Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) in sensitizing the voters towards exercising their franchise responsibly.
Clarifying on the use of mobile cameras in photographing the voters, the CEO stated that only Rs. 42 lakh was sanctioned for purchasing cameras for more than 2000 polling stations. The Lemon phone costs only about Rs. 1000. The election expenditures would have been too much if high-end digital cameras were used.