Imphal, January 03 2008: MPP supporters staged protest demonstration against the alleged violation of election model code of conduct during the Moirang by-poll, at the residence of MPP candidate Hemam Birasingh at Moirang today.

The protesters put up placards which read as "Don't use EVM in Manipur", "We don't have faith in EVM", "Stop cheating people's mandate", "EVM cannot produce leadership" etc.

The protesters said they were not satisfied with the results of 9th Vidhan Sabha elections and as such they had serious reservations about using EVMs in the Moirang A/C by-election.

Saying that they had full confidence in Hemam Birashing to win the by-poll on sympathy vote, they confided that Bir will be victorious one day if there is no manipulation in EVMs.

But under the existing situation, it is hard to imagine.

The MPP supporters said that they expected overwhelming votes in four polling stations, they accused polling officers of misguiding elderly voters in their alleged effort to manipulate the EVMs.

Following wrong identification of MPP symbol by the presiding officer to one Ibemcha, an MPP voter, there was a ruckus at Thamnapokpi polling station resulting in disruption of polling for sometime.

Saying that they are against using EVMs in future elections in Moirang A/C, they claimed that the true mandate of people can be established by ballot papers.

The MPP supporters said that they would not allow EVMs in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The protest sitting was earlier planned at Moirang Lamkhai but police prevented it saying that there was restriction under Section 144 of CrPC.

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