Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra along with Election Commissioner’s Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey held a virtual meeting to review the poll preparedness for the forthcoming Assembly Elections in Manipur. The term of State Assembly in Manipur is due to expire on March 19 and elections are scheduled for 60 seats next month.
During the review meeting, representatives of political parties namely All India Trinamool Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Naga People’s Front (NPF), National People’s Party, Peoples Democratic Alliance came to meet the Commission through video conferencing.
The main issues raised by the political parties included concerns about use of money power, illicit liquor, narcotics drugs and intimidation to influence voters. Political parties requested for strict vigil on election expenses by candidates to ensure free and fair poll.
While expressing concerns about pre-poll violence, the political parties demanded deployment of adequate security forces during the poll process and other relevant measures. The political parties also raised concerns about implementation of strict COVID protocols for the safety of everybody.
The Commission assured the representatives that it has taken cognizance of suggestions, issues and concerns of the political parties and ECI is committed to conduct free, fair, participative, inclusive, inducement free and COVID safe elections in the state.
With regard to the concerns raised on excessive use of money and other inducements to influence voters, the Commission reiterated that it has zero tolerance for misuse of money or muscle power or partisan behaviour of State machinery vitiating free and fair elections.
CEC Sushil Chandra underscored that strict action would be taken against such erring officials. He added that Expenditure Observers will be deployed for strict vigil to ensure inducement-free elections in the State. Chandra also elaborated on ECI’s cVIGIL App mechanism for registering complaints for prompt redressal of MCC violations as also the toll free number 1950.
