Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 18 2009:
Hundred percent polling at some polling stations and unusually high polling percentage at some others prove that the polling held on April 22 in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency was mass rigged, Dr M Nara has said.
Dr Nara, who contested the election as a common candidate of Left and Democratic Coordination Committee and was defeated by Congress candidate Dr Th Meinya, today told mediapersons at Irabot Bhavan here that all the votes polled at 7/35-36 polling station in Andro AC were found to be in favour of Congress.
And at some other polling stations in the same assembly segment, only one vote was polled in favour of CPI while the rest of the votes were cast for Congress.
As per law, if more than 80% votes are polled in favour of the particular candidate then it should be considered that the polling has been rigged, Dr Nara pointed out.
He also said that the result of the election has amply proved true what the CPI has been saying since the day of polling that it has not been done according to norms.
Regarding the CPI's complaints submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Dr Nara informed the mediapersons that not a single polling agent, presiding officer nor observer submitted report to the ECI stating that the polling was rigged.
The Election Commissioners had replied that unless the allegations of poll rigging at certain polling stations are proved by providing a video recording, re-poll cannot be held.
However, the announcement by the Commission itself that video cameras will be installed at all polling stations and record the pollig process has been neglected, Dr Nara rued.
He further alleged that Congress party had sent out its men to be the polling agents of the Independent candidates on the day of polling.
As its supporters were more, they did as they wished inside the polling stations.
And whenever a person raised objections, he was threatened by brandishing a gun or some money was forcibly given to gag him, Dr Nara alleged.
He further said that since a few persons had voted in proxy for a few thousand of voters for Congress, the CPI secured more genuine votes than Congress.
Dr Nara thanked the electorate who had voted for CPI with the thought of supporting the truth.
He said, the Police Manual Act which was formulated in 1821 by the British is still in force in India.
This Act and the Electoral Reforms Bill need immediate amendment.
The Police Act will further widen the gap between the police and the public.
Moreover the Bill enables those dishonest persons to rig the polls.
When the two legislations are reformed, people will get the true interpretation of democracy, Dr Nara pointed out.