Workers and supporters of the Congress candidate Lamtinthang Haokipon marched the streets in a peaceful rally at Kangpokpi district headquarters on Monday demanding re-poll in some polling stations of Saitu assembly constituency where the by-poll was held on November 7.
The rally kick-started from Thomas Ground in the district headquarters and marched towards the office of the deputy commissioner. The Congress candidate himself took part in the rally.
At the DC office, the rallyists shouted various slogans decrying the alleged rampant malpractices and involvement of armed groups who are under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the government. They further said they would “ban” the counting of the vote which is scheduled for Tuesday.
During the rally carried out under the close vigilance of the police, the rallyists carried placards that read as: “We oppose gun culture;” “Shame of SoO groups;” “Stop booth capture;” among others.
Talking to reporters, the Congress candidate demanded suspension of the Returning Officer (RO) of the constituency from his service. He alleged the RO of discharging his service in a bias manner.
The voting in Saitu assembly constituency where the Congress candidate had a straight fight with the BJP candidate was held on November 7 along with three other assembly constituencies of the state.
Alleging proxy voting and booth rigging and electoral malpractices outside the polling stations on the poll day, the Congress party and its candidate have been pressing re-polls.
The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has been demanding re-poll in several polling stations of the constituency.
While demanding the re-poll, the opposition Congress party strongly charged the ruling BJP government of using power and proxy voting during the by-poll.
Congress candidate Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip, in a written complaint to the Returning Officer of Saitu constituency by-election, demanded re-poll in 10 polling stations.
NNN