Congress again demands re-poll for West Tripura PC, Ramnagar assembly seat

Opposition Congress once again demanded re-poll in West Tripura Parliamentary constituency along with re-polls for by-election of 7-Ramnagar assembly seat, on Saturday in a letter to CEO, Tripura, Congress submitting figures of alleged false voting urges for scrutiny.

Senior Congress leader and MLA Sudip Roy Barman in his letter to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Tripura on Saturday alleged that despite assurance of free and fair election on April 19 last, 1-Tripura West Parliamentary Constituency had become a free run for false voting and obstruction and refraining of electors from exercising their franchise.

“I had the opportunity in interacting with many micro-observers and was shocked to learn from them that the AROs of South, Gomati and Sepahijala forced them to change their reports of massive false voting in as many as 400 polling booths in these districts,” alleged Sudip and urged the CEO to convene a secret meeting with all micro observers to take stock of the situation and take necessary action.

Sudip raised questions over voting of above 100 percent in a few booths due to election duty certificate (EDC),  giving an instance that said “ in 10-Majlishpur assembly seat at 44-booth , male voters in the electoral roll is 277 and female voters is 268. Total voters 545, but the male voters casting was reflected as 320, which is 43 more and 43 EDC voters were present in a booth.

In another booth number of 24 of 10-Majlishpur , the records show that 62 EDC votes took place and has also submitted a few more instances, where EDC vote  has also cast at 103 votes and expressed his surprise .

Sudip submitted figures of voting for West Tripura PC has also alleged that the glaring examples of the election being a complete farce and raised questions over the projection of the poll panel as free and fair.

“Innumerable voters were obstructed, refrained from voting and no police or election machinery was available to  ensure the protection of voting rights,” said Sudip and enclosed details of 579 polling booths and alleged that, where election was rigged through false voting and obstruction of electors.

Sudip in his letter also said that the poll panel has assured the Congress delegation of a 3-layer security system, which could not be provided in the April 19 election, but expressed happiness to see the same being available during the election of April 26 at East Tripura PC. He also asked the poll panel why the step motherly attitude rendered to Congress and alleged that the poll panel had given a smooth passage to a former Chief Minister to ensure his winning by rigging through false voting, threatening polling agents and obstructing the voters.