IMPHAL, Feb 25: Putting an end to the queries of the general public and the candidates in complaint, the ECI has decided that there will be no further re-polls in the state.
The matter was stated by Chief Electoral Officer PC Lawmkunga at his office to some media persons at new secretariat complex today. He said that word has been confirmed from the ECI that there will be no further re-polls and the election results will be announced on March 6 as stipulated earlier.
Answering queries on possible outcome of the complaints lodged to the ECI following the tell tale irregularities witnessed during the photographic comparisons conducted on March 6 and 7 at the Chief Election Office, Lamphelpat. Lawmkunga said that the situation has been taken in stock by the three ECI observers and it remains to be seen what feedback will be given from the authorities. He added that a reply is expected soon.
The CEO also clarified that the complaints received about the discrepancies in issue of postal ballots has been sent to the ECI and further action will be taken if officials are found liable.He mentioned that the counting of votes will be done as per schedule and three ROs will be deputed at Imphal East DC complex and four ROs will oversee the counting at Imphal West DC.Further, stringent security measures have been taken up to safeguard the EVMs and the strong rooms have been kept under constant surveillance.
Meanwhile, voicing strongly against holding of re-poll and demanding invalidation of proxy voters, the non-Congress political parties in the state today convened a joint meeting for the third time at Hotel Imphal, North AOC.
After several hours of deliberations, Dr. M Nara of CPI and Radhabinod Koijam of NCP addressed the press declaring that a representative each of the 10 political parties will leave for Delhi tomorrow to meet the Election Commission of India as well as national political leaders. While at the national capital, the ten representatives will address the national media highlighting the evidences of malpractices during elections in the state.
It was also decided that the ten political parties will congregate at Keishampat Lairembi Community Hall for a sit-in-protest on Feb 27.
They reiterated their stated position against re-poll and preferred invalidating proxy votes instead. While highlighting the discrepancies related to multiple voting, proxy voting and postal ballots, Radhabinod Koijam demanded that the ECI consult all political parties before announcing its decision. The full commission of ECI should visit the state to take stock of the prevailing uncertainty and discharge its constitutional duty for a free and fair election, he added.
“We are in the threshold of making history in the electoral system of India,” proclaimed Dr N Nara. The decision of ECI regarding the various discrepancies highlighted earlier will have far reaching consequences for elections all over the country, he stated.
The ten political parties include, in no particular order, NCP, CPI, CPI(M), BJP, MPP, NPP, TMC, MSCP, JD(U) and NPF.
It may be noted that the state has rarely witnessed the teaming up of this many political parties against the congress party. One may not be too far off the mark to suggest that is a looming possibility political instability in the state no matter what the outcome of the polls.