In elections, there is a saying that the one who is complaining or alleging violation of election code is a losing candidate. Although, it might be true in some cases many of the complaints are indeed genuine. A day after the first phase of Manipur Assembly Elections 2022 on Monday, demands have been raised for repoll in 30 polling stations across Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts, citing several lapses, booth capturing and gross violation of the Constitution during the election on Monday.
While INC candidate Lamtinthang Haokip of Saitu constituency in Kangpokpi district urged the Election Commission for repoll in 51/46 New Keithelmanbi polling station, four candidates of different political parties demanded repoll in 23 polling stations of 57-Henglep in six polling stations of Thanlon. The Election Commission on Thursday declared the poll taken on February 28 at 12 polling stations as void and ordered fresh repoll in one polling station each in Khundrakpam and Saitu Assembly constituencies, another three in Thanlon AC, five in Henglep AC and two polling stations in Singhat AC, on March 5, from 7 am to 4 pm.
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In Imphal East district, 1-Khundrakpam constituency, repoll has been ordered in polling station 1/20 Sarouthel. In Kangpokpi district, 51-Saitu (ST) constituency, repoll will be held in polling station 51/46 New Keithelmanbi. In Churachandpur district, 56-Thanlon constituency, repoll will be held in polling stations 56/5 Songsang, 56/10 Maite and 56/19 Tinsuong. In 57-Henglep constituency, repoll will be held in polling stations 57/20 Majuron Kuki, 57/31 N Chingphei, 57/34 Khoirentak, 57/39 Molsang and 57/49 Leinom. In 60-Singhat constituency, repoll was ordered in 60/36 Teikot and 60/43 Maukot polling stations. The Commission’s decision is mostly based on ground reports given by Presiding Officers of the respective polling stations. Except for Khundrakpam constituency, all other polling stations are in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur district where Kuki militant groups had openly vouched for BJP candidates.
Jokes apart, the 2022 elections would be remembered for turncoats and surrendering of candidature. When the INC candidate and former MLA Salam Joy Singh announced his support for the BJP candidate and Minister O Lukhoi Singh just a day ahead of polling, the joke is on Congress party. Joy was with BJP as a senior Vice President in the last term and when O Lukhoi defected from Congress and joined BJP, he joined Congress. In the by-elections following the disqualification of O Lukhoi in the last term, Salam Joy contested as INC candidate.
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But, Minister Lukhoi won. Congress expelled its candidate from Wangoi constituency and ex-MLA, Salam Joy Singh, from the primary membership of the party with immediate effect for supporting his rival candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress party had seen the exodus of party stalwarts like Govindas Konthoujam, Chaltonlien Amo and Kh Joykishan leaving the party. But what most hurt O Ibobi was the exit of his nephew Okram Henry whose support to BJP led to gaining a Rajya Sabha seat and securing the confidence vote.
Now, the joke is on BJP again. One of its candidates O Lorhii in Tadubi assembly constituency had come out with a declaration that he will not be participating in the election due to pressure from certain elections, only to retract his declaration again on the pressure of his party. Herein lies the hollowed assessment of parties while awarding party tickets. On the other hand, everyone thought NPF candidates had the blessings of NSCN (I-M) which turned out to be not so true in some candidates. It is a paradox.
