A day after the first phase of Manipur Assembly Elections 2022 was held, demands have been raised for repoll in 30 polling stations across Churachandpur and Senapati districts, citing several lapses, booth capturing and gross violation of the Constitution during the election on Monday.
While INC candidate Lamtinthang Haokip of Saitu constituency in Senapati district urged the ECI for repoll in 51/46 New Keithelmanbi polling station, four candidates of different political parties demanded repoll in 23 polling stations of 57-Henglep. State Shiv Sena president M Tombi also demanded repoll in six polling stations of Thanlon.
Haokip, who was arrested for alleged poll violence during the election, stated in a release that his arrest was unlawful and unwarranted. Unlawful activities were pre-planned and carried out at the behest of a BJP candidate in the presence and under the guidance of one Haopu Haokip, son of BJP candidate and Hemkholen Haokip, who is an Assistant Teacher under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and currently a research scholar in NEHU, Shillong, he added.
“On February 28, our supporters were not allowed to stand in the queue, or allowed to enter within the premises of the polling area. Proxy voting was rampant as the snatched voter slips were used to vote for a particular candidate. Reacting to the malpractices, the assigned INC polling agents submitted a complaint to the Presiding Officer. However, the polling officer was not ready to register the complaint. The polling agent had to submit the second complaint while he was forced to stay inside the polling area, not even allowed to leave,” he said.
The news of the incidents was received while he was visiting Bongmol polling station, he stated, adding that when he rushed to New Keithelmanbi. He said angry mobs were breaking into the polling station where the EVM was also destroyed, and he was not responsible for the ruckus and breaking of the EVM. While he was trying to leave the premises, the CAPF personnel stopped him and threatened to shoot him if he left the premises, he alleged.
New Keithelmanbi Police took him to New Keithelmanbi police station and he was brought to Imphal Police Station through the FIR filed in New Keithelmanbi Police Station. “The question is under whose direction was I brought to Imphal Police Station,” Lamtinthang asked.
Meanwhile, the four candidates of Henglep AC submitted a joint memorandum to the district election officer, Churachandpur district demanding re-poll at 23 polling stations of the assembly constituency.
The four candidates included T Thangzalam Haokip of the Shiv Sena; Nehminthang Haokip of the National People’s Party (NPP); T Manga Vaiphei of the Indian National Congress (INC) and Genneikhup Vaiphei of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U).
The memorandum mentioned that “in 57-Henglep assembly constituency phase I, state assembly election, cadres of armed militant groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) namely the Kuki National Front (MC); the Kuki National Front (Zougam); the Kuki National Front (Samuel) and the Kuki National Army captured polling booths in multiple polling stations within 57-Henglep assembly constituency.”
It stated that these militants who acted in support of the BJP candidate intimidated and threatened voters and supporters of the INC, Shiv Sena, JD-U and the NPP, including the respective candidates. The militants also snatched their voter slips and prevented them from casting votes in various polling stations, it added.
Further, it mentioned that as per 135A, 58 and 58A, the Representative of Peoples’ Act, 1951, the voting listed under the 23 polling stations should be declared null and void and should conduct a fresh poll under tight security arrangements to ensure free and fair voting.
The memorandum also stated that the said militants controlled the polling stations and monitored EVMs and movement of voters. It said even polling officials and security personnel deployed to ensure free and smooth remained mute spectators, allowing the illegal activities of the militants.
The proof of booth capture in the polling stations may be verified from available web cam footage, it said, adding that it is in clear violation of the election model code of conduct and SoO ground rules.
Joining the demand for repoll in the 23 polling stations, women members of the INC, NPP and the Shiv Sena from Henglep constituency staged a demonstration at the Gate of the Mini Secretariat, Tuibong and shouted slogans against the BJP on Tuesday. They alleged that the polling booth was captured by the BJP with the help of Kuki UGs.
The demonstration turned ugly when the protester tried to forcefully enter the Mini Secretariat of Churachandpur. The police fired teargas at the protester resulting in one woman falling unconscious and was taken to the district hospital.
Linda C Nunlim from Henglep AC said that they demand immediate action against the polling officer and security personnel of the 23 polling booths for failing to prevent capturing of the booths. She said they also demanded immediate action against those Kuki militants who are involved in the incident and immediate disqualification of BJP candidate Letzamang Haokip for the gross violation of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, the state Shiv Sena president alleged that some militants under SoO in conspiracy with the BJP candidate have stolen votes at 23 polling stations of 57-Henglep assembly constituency.
Speaking to the media in Imphal, he said the state Shiv Sena will launch agitation at the door of Parliament if re-poll is not conducted in the said polling stations.
Tombi alleged that 23 polling booths of the 60 polling stations in Henglep assembly constituency were captured by some militants under SoO in conspiracy with the BJP candidate of the assembly constituency. Similar booth capture also occurred at six polling stations of 56-Thanlon assembly constituency which are Suongsang; Maite; Tinsuong; Muolkui; Phaipheng and Phailenbung, he added.
Tombi also alleged that in the said polling stations, some militants under SoO in conspiracy with BJP candidates conducted proxy voting and forced voting in favour of the BJP candidate. Asking whether the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election is ‘election or selection’, he cautioned that if such trends of election are not controlled in time by the authority concerned then there will be no democracy.
Meanwhile, all EVM used in all the 358 polling stations in Churachandpur district have been deposited at the Strong room at Old Secretariat of Churachandpur.
(With inputs from IFP correspondent, Churachandpur)
