IMPHAL, Feb 15:The MSCP has asserted that any further re-poll based on the findings of the recent photo comparison exercise will be a waste of time and money as the photograph technology lacked fool-proof scientific backing.
Instead, the party suggested that counting of the ballots should be allowed to go ahead after invalidating those cases where mismatches were observed between the photographs in the electoral roll bank and those taken at the polling stations.
Talking to media at Hotel Imphal today, president of the party Y Mani stated that recommendation of re-poll based on the comparison of photos will be ill-advised as it will open door for more manipulations by candidates in advantageous position. He expressed surprise that the ruling Congress party has not so far announced their position on the issue to the public.
However, Mani made it clear that his party will abide by any decision taken by the Election Commission of India on the subject despite its rigid stand.
Instead of putting more agony on the people and the candidate, besides the rigor of repeated organization of the poll exercise on the establishment, Mani stated, the respective polling officers should be put on the dock and punished for their inefficiencies. Only then the point will be served and all sort of discrepancies can be avoided, he said.
The party’s candidates who fought the last assembly elections spoke in unison with its president. Awangbou Newmai, sitting MLA of Tamei AC, stated that photo anomalies were spotted in 43 out of 63 polling stations in his constituency. However, he said, if re-poll were conducted in all those polling stations it would be similar to holding a fresh election which will be an extraneous burden to everyone.
Thamarjit of Keirao AC, where no mis-matches were reported, stated that unless forensic experts can verify the authenticity of the anomalies in the photographs, it cannot be justified, presenting his case against another round of re-poll.
Adim Panmei, MPCC chief Gaikhangam’s rival in Nungba, stated that mass discrepancies were noticed in all the four polling stations where he had complained of proxy voting. However, he argued that instead of re-poll, the party’s suggestion to progress with counting after deleting the bogus cases will hold in good stead. He also expressed dissatisfaction at the returning officer’s response to his complaint supported by sufficient proofs against the Congress election agent in Tupul for booth captuing through intimidation by firing shots from a small fire arm.