Imphal, December 30: The RPF has banned all former RPF/PLA members from contesting in the Ninth State Assembly election slated for February, 2007.A statement issued by assistant secretary of communication and publicity Lily Leima contended that under no condition could current administrative machinery in the State be considered as rule of manipuri people but is merely extension of India's dominion objective and suppressive regime.

RPF neither endorses the election exercises as true reflection of the people's mandate nor beliefs in the franchise floated by Government of India, said the statement and reiterated restriction to all former members against joining in the election fray as the RPF would consider those individuals as working against the interest of the organisation and the people. Asserting that it would mobilise all its available resources to ensure its proclamation is strictly implemented, RPF also prevailed upon the political parties to do the needful.

Informing that the proclamation also covers independent candidates, the armed outfit urged the general public to support the RPF campaign.