IMPHAL, April 7: The observing committee found no traces of any violation of code of conduct in the speeches given by Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio at Tamenglong after examining the video clips of his speech there. This was stated by Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur O Nabakishore.
In a press conference in his office at the new secretariat, he said that after receiving complaints of the violation of election code of conduct in the speeches of NPF star campaigner Neiphiu Rio at Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Senapati as per a directive from Election Commission of India a thorough examination of his speeches by an observation committee was conducted.
The examination of the video clips and observations of various sources on Monday revealed that Rio’s Tamenglong speech has no traces of any violation of ECI code of conduct. As the examination of Rio’s speeches continues, the returning officer of the outer Manipur constituency has submitted video clips of his speeches at Senapati and Ukhrul.
If the committee found traces of any violation of code of conduct in his speeches, ECI will take action against Rio. A show-cause notice will be sent if ECI find any traces of violation, he said.
Nabakishore said that the total number of voters in Manipur is 1764768. The outer constituency has 911699 voters while the inner constituency has 855069 voters of which male voters are 863945 and female voters are 900823.
“280 voters from 14 camps of signatories of SoO are included in the electoral list but in total 2089 cadres are staying in their respective camps. The concerned RO has made arrangements for them to cast their votes through postal ballot papers. There will be one model officer each in the SoO camps.”
In the meantime, there are seven camps of the seven valley-based UG groups with 584 cadres staying in those camps. The CEO has sent a written-letter to the ECI for allowing them to cast their votes. The order is awaited. If the commission allows, they can cast their vote in the inner constituency. We are trying our level best to provide the facilities, he said.
Meanwhile, a directive from ECI has revealed that those voters who are not able to produce the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC), they can produce any of the photo identity documents such as the passport, driving license, service identity card, passbooks with photographs issued by banks or post offices, Pan card, Aadhar card, smart card issued by RGI under NPR, MNREGA job card, health insurance smart card issued under the scheme of Ministry of labour, pension documents with photographs and authenticated photo voter slips issued by election officials.