1. The ECI has requested a detailed report on booth capturing and EVM vandalization in Arunachal Pradesh.
2. Complaints were lodged by the NPP, the Arunachal Democratic Party (ADP), and an independent candidate’s agent.
3. Incidents occurred in three assembly constituencies during the recent simultaneous elections.
Itanagar, May 14: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has called for a detailed report from the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) concerning incidents of booth capturing, vandalization of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and other election-related violence in three assembly constituencies during the recent simultaneous elections in the state.
In a formal communication to the CEO, the ECI noted that multiple complaints had been lodged by various political entities, including the National People’s Party (NPP), the Arunachal Democratic Party (ADP), and an independent candidate’s election agent.
These complaints highlight serious allegations of poll violence, booth capturing, EVM vandalization, and voter intimidation across polling stations in Seppa West, Likabali, and Nari-Koyu assembly constituencies.
The complainants have requested the ECI to conduct fresh polling at the affected stations.
Jumnya Dini, the election agent for an independent candidate in the Likabali assembly constituency, submitted a complaint to the ECI on May 5.
Dini alleged that bogus voting occurred through booth capturing at the 6-Tatamari, 15-Tango, and 13-Sibe polling stations in the Likabali constituency and demanded that fresh polling be conducted at these locations.
Similarly, Tani Loffa, the NPP candidate for the Seppa West constituency, presented a case to the ECI calling for the results from certain polling stations to be declared null and void or excluded from the final count.
The specific polling stations in question are 11/25-Lumdung, 11/26 Pipokoro, 11/17-Watte, 11/7-Silla, and 11/19-Neking. Loffa also filed a complaint against the election observer for East Kameng district, accusing them of inaction regarding alleged vote capturing, poll violence, and EVM vandalization at the 11/7-Silla polling station.
Additionally, the ADP lodged a complaint on May 2, seeking a re-poll at the 6-Kakki, 7-Sipu, 11-Loglu, 14-Tabiripu, and 21-Potte polling stations within the 36th Nari-Koyu assembly constituency.
Alternatively, they have requested the nullification of the EVM vote counts from these stations.
These reported incidents have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process in these regions.
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The ECI’s request for a factual report underscores the importance of addressing these allegations thoroughly to maintain public confidence in the electoral system.
The response from the CEO will likely play a crucial role in determining the next steps, which may include conducting fresh polls or annulling the results from the disputed polling stations.
The swift action by the ECI in seeking this report reflects its commitment to ensuring free and fair elections.
As the investigation proceeds, stakeholders will be keenly observing how the electoral body handles these serious allegations to uphold the principles of democracy and transparency in Arunachal Pradesh.