IMPHAL, Feb 21 (Newmai News Network): Amidst controversy over mass poll violation and indication for re-poll in several polling booths of various constituencies, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Tuesday demanded fresh elections in Manipur whose polls in all the constituencies were conducted on January 28.
“The Chief Election Officer (CEO) has violated the Election Model Code of Conduct and failed to oblige the instruction given by Election Commission of India (ECI)”, Z. Lohe, political advisor to Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio alleged.
Lohe was speaking to the media at Senapati headquarters after a consultative meeting with the NPF Manipur unit leaders there today.
“Make Manipur a model of fair election and go for a fresh election as rampant proxy voting and mass manipulation of photos committed during the recent polls have been found out and witnessed by the ECI officials,” Lohe said.
He said NPF is ready to face re-poll or fresh election but such vote cannot make any change.
“The ECI should arrange for fresh elections in Manipur instead of mere re-poll in certain constituencies because there would be more rigged-voting and irregularities whose complaints have not been lodged and NPF has full confidence of such violation”, Lohe maintained.
He also heavily came down at the State CEO, accusing him of violation of Election Model Code of Conduct and failure to follow the instruction given by the Central poll panel.
The CEO did not invite the 12 NPF candidates, who were in the fray, to participate and witness the recent photo comparison process conducted by the CEO office under the guidelines given by ECI and added that the ECI has clearly instructed the CEO that all the candidates of the concerned constituencies should be allowed to witness the photo comparison work.
The demand for fresh polls raised by NPF comes just one day ahead of the scheduled visit of a team of Central observers to the State. The ECI team will hold consultations with the leaders of