INDIA Bloc, Manipur unit, has hailed the Election Commission of India (ECI) for conducting re-elections in the state in a peaceful manner as a response to their request.
Addressing the media at the Congress Bhawan on Tuesday, the secretary of INDIA bloc Manipur unit, Kshetrimayum Shanta informed that many untoward and unwanted incidents took place on the day of the first phase of the 18th Lok Sabha Elections in the state. Incidents of vandalising EVM, proxy voting led to the inability to conduct elections in a free and fair manner, he said.
He informed that a complaint was lodged for repoll in 47 polling stations. However, the ECI accepted only 11 polling stations which was a little disappointing, he said, adding that they would be more satisfied had the commission accepted at least 20 polling stations.
The repoll held on April 22 was peaceful and calm and people were able to exercise their voting right in a free and fair manner, he informed.
“We hope the concerned authorities will take up necessary precautionary measures to conduct the second phase of election with no violence,” he stated.
Meanwhile, CPI former secretary Sotinkumar accused the BJP of resorting to threats, violence and coercion during the recent elections in India.
He claimed that the BJP dictated people to vote for them and engaged in reprehensible actions to control the electoral process through coercion.
He highlighted various issues that “plagued the recent election, including threats, booth capturing, and instances of EVM destruction.”
However, Sotinkumar expressed satisfaction with the peaceful and democratic conduct of the re-polling process, contrasting it with previous elections.
According to him, the BJP has failed to provide security and maintain law and order, even with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s minimal intervention.
Sotinkumar asserted that the candidate from the INDIA bloc would emerge victorious in the Manipur election.
“INDIA bloc is poised to come to power at the centre because of the lack of widespread support for the BJP across India”, he conveyed.