Imphal, April 21 2009: While welcoming withdrawal of troops of the Operation Summer Storm in view of the election to the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency which would go to poll tomorrow, Chief Electoral Officer Shambhu Singh as appealed to the electors to come out and cast their votes without any fear.

In an exclusive interview with The Sangai Express at his office chamber this evening, Shambhu said that the outcome of the recent joint operation of the Army and the police at Keibul Lamjao National Park may be good or bad but the withdrawal of troops in view of the election is welcome.

To ensure free and peaceful conduct of the election, adequate security measures have also been put in placed, the CEO said.

Opining that the situation of the election to the Inner Parliamentary Constituency tomorrow may be a little better off than the election to the Outer seat held on April 16, the CEO, however, hastened to add that nothing definite could be said with regard to unexpected changes that may come about.

As of now, the law and order situation is fully under controlled, the CEO assured.

When asked about the possibility of disturbance in the election from the UG side, the CEO maintained that it is not very likely this time.

Informing that the polling personnel as well as security personnel who have been assigned election duty have already reached their respective polling stations, the CEO disclosed that following complaint of CPI, a BSF Commandant would be deployed to monitor the action of the MR and IRB personnel in three Assembly segments of Thoubal.

It may be noted here that the step has been taken up in view of the apprehension expressed that the MR and IRB personnel who would be on election duty at the three Assembly segments of Thoubal namely 30-Lilong, 31-Thoubal and 32-Wangkhem may work in favour of the party of the ruling Government.

The inadvertent mistake committed by the polling personnel be corrected but any mistake committed deliberately would not be tolerated and necessary actions would be taken up, the CEO stated firmly.

Appealing to the electors to come out and cast their votes without any fear tomorrow, the CEO also called upon the security personnel to perform their duties diligently.

Meanwhile, SP of Bishnupur District K Jayenta has conveyed that most of the villagers who fled out of fear and took shelter at relief camps following the outbreak of Operation Summer Storm have now returned to their respective villages.

With the operation over, the villagers would be able to participate in the election and cast their votes tomorrow, the SP said, adding ' we are also all prepared for conduct of smooth and free & fair polls'.

On the other hand, in connection with the cent percent polling recorded at 35/32-Athokpam (C) during the election to the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency held on April 16, PDA candidate Mani Charenamei has filed a complaint with the Election Commission expressing apprehension of possible proxy voting.

Acting on the complaint, the office of the CEO has entrusted the Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal District to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

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