IMPHAL, Feb 28: “The state is most likely to see re-polls on either March 3 or 4, the ECI have acknowledged the grievances of the non-Congress delagates.We have scored the goal.It has been a fulfilling day for the ten political parties”, CPI state secretary Dr. M Nara Singh stated.
The non-Congress delegate members addressed a press conference at the CPI office located at Ajay Bhawan,New Delhi today. The meet was convened by Rajya Sabha MP and CPI spokesperson,D Raja and the irregularities witnessed in the recent voter photo comparisons was highlighted to the national media.
In a telephonic conversation with IFP, Dr Nara stated that the press meet was held with the need to address the experimentation of the ECI in the recently held 10th Manipur assembly elections, a national issue.He said that the issue has been a surprise revelation to the mediapersons present at the press meet.
He further said that after meeting the ECI authorities from yesterday onwards, an understanding has been reached between the ECI and the delegates.Nara said that the situation at hand has been detailed to the ECI officials and they have agreed to conduct of repolls.
It was chalked out between the said parties that repoll of all the polling stations in complaint was not practicable or nor those found to be proxy voters in the photo comparisons could be declared as invalid votes.
It was later agreed that those candidates which have lodged timely complaints to the ECI regarding photo comparison irregularities will be entertained. Further, the stations which recorded abnormally high polling’s and has complaints will be entertained for repoll. The stations where there were reported incidents of booth capturing has been identified and hence complained to the ECI will also be considered. Further, polling stations where one individual casted multiple proxy votes will be investigated into and prosecution on grounds of impersonation can be carried out. In regard to the case of fraudulent dispersal of postal ballots, the officers responsible will also be investigated and held liable.The stated points were chalked out between the ECI and the members of the ten political parties at New Delhi, Nara maintained.