DIMAPUR, MARCH 5 (MExN): A 'silent poster protest rally' against the alleged manipulation of the EVMs of 7 Peren Area Constituency by NPF party was held at Peren on Monday. Carrying placards that read, “Election is a democratic process, do not favour any,” “Majority should decide, not by TR Zeliang’s power,” “7-Peren A/C result manipulated,” etc, the protesters, mostly comprising of NDPP party workers demanded for re-poll in the said constituency.
A memorandum appended by the presidents of the NDPP Frontal Youth Wing of Peren region, NDPP 7-Peren AC, its Youth Wing and Mahila was also submitted to the District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner, Peren.
The memorandum alleged that the EVM of 7 Peren A/C has been manipulated by the NPF party of 7 Peren A/C. As evidence, it pointed out that there is a vote difference of 1224 votes in the total vote cast and total vote count, and the Control Unit of EVM for polling station no. 7/44, 7/45, 7/53 was contradictory to the EVM randomization data issued by the Returning Officer and the Polling Officer on the polling day.
It also alleged that the polling agents/election agents of NDPP were not invited for the mock poll by the Presiding Officer nor the Mock Poll Certificate issued to the agents except for 7/36. “Thus, Election is null and void as it cannot be authenticated by the polling party as per the guidelines of the election rules.”
That during the sealing of the strong room, the NDPP agents were neither informed nor invited. Likewise, even when strong room was opened, NDPP agents were kept at the dark which amounts to violation of fair conduct of election, it stated.
The memorandum also alleged that NPF party men were distributing unaccounted amounts of cash in many villages to purchase the voters, distributing cars to individuals, churches in exchange of votes. Such malpractices are clearly not the means of free and fair election and it is against the election code of conduct, it said.
Further pointing fingers at personnels/government officials recruited and deputed for election duty as Master Trainers, Trainers, Observers, BLOs or Counting Officials and Supervisors etc, the memorandum claimed they were actively involved hand in glove with NPF party in scheming and conspiring in conducting the whole process of election up till declaration of results.
While demanding remedial measures and stern disciplinary action against such officers, the memorandum said the 7 Peren A/C of NDPP party does not accept the result and demanded for re-poll.
