Northeast Desk, 30th April: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has voiced apprehensions regarding the transparency of the re-polling process at two polling stations within the Nacho assembly constituency.
Addressing the media at the Arunachal Press Club, APCC Vice President Toko Mina demanded that the state chief electoral officer order re-polling at the Lengi and Dingsar polling stations.
Mina alleged that despite the Election Commission of India’s order for re-polling issued on April 21, the process was tainted by irregularities. She called for action against the polling teams involved, accusing them of violating election guidelines and engaging in illegal activities during the re-polling process.
Among the alleged irregularities, Mina highlighted the failure to provide essential documents such as movement sheets to polling agents of the Indian National Congress (INC) candidate, contravening the Election Conduct Rules of 1961. Additionally, she expressed concern over the presence of armed paramilitary personnel inside the polling stations, which she claimed exerted undue pressure on the electoral system.
Mina further asserted that polling agents’ requests for challenge fees and forms from presiding officers to question the identity of suspected fake voters were denied, despite instances of double voting. She also noted the absence of form 17C, a mandatory requirement under the Conduct of Election Rules, which was not provided to polling agents.
The APCC threatened to launch a “rigorous democratic movement” if their demands for re-polling were not promptly addressed. Mina criticized the conduct of presiding officers, stating that they did not permit polling agents to accompany them into voting compartments as required by guidelines.
Moreover, Mina emphasized the absence of signed declaration forms for companions accompanying voters, as mandated by Section 25 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.
The APCC’s call for re-polling underscores its commitment to preserving the integrity and fairness of the electoral process in Arunachal Pradesh. The allegations of irregularities during the re-polling process raise significant concerns about adherence to democratic principles and the proper conduct of elections in the state.
Read More: Arunachal Olympic Association Seeks IOA’s Help Over China’s Stapled Visa Issue