In the 2017 election, this time the re-polling was far less violent in 62 centers as compared to 19
In the 2017 election, this time the re-polling was far less violent in 62 centers as compared to 19
Imphal
A youth forum in Manipur calls for normalization of gun culture State elections in two phases There was a worrying trend.
Youth Collective Manipur (YCM) also criticized it. Election commission to order re-election The 2017 election saw re-polling in 62 stations, this time in “only 19” polling stations while “much less violent”.
The YCM documented 78 election incidents of violence in which seven people lost their lives. Incidents were reported during the campaign and on the two days of polling – 28 February and 5 March.
“So far, there are no reports of appropriate action by the authorities against most electoral malpractices, including those that took place at several polling stations on election day,” Thongam Zingo, coordinator of the YCM’s People’s Election Monitoring Cell, said on Friday.
The YCM said the malpractices included intimidation and intimidation by party agents, rigging and destruction of EVMs, proxy voting and booth capturing.
It said that the criteria for re-polling at some selected polling stations were not made public by the Election Commission.
The YCM also failed to understand that re-polling took place at 62 stations as compared to 19 during the recently concluded election in a ‘very quiet’ election five years ago.
“Another worrying trend is the generalization of gun culture. In the pre-election and election days, lethal weapons were widely used to intimidate voters. Massive cannon salutes were given in celebration of post-election victories. Gone,” said Mr. Zingo.
He said such displays of firearms have psychological, physical and political effects on civilians who hold a different political viewpoint from those who wield guns.
Videos of members of armed groups on automatic weapons firing mode to celebrate the victory of some candidates, mostly in constituencies dominated by Kuki-Zomi communities, have gone viral on social media.
State Director General of Police, P. Dongel did not respond to calls or messages on such videos.
An analysis of records of 60 winning candidates in Manipur revealed that 23% of them have an alleged criminal background.