EC to probe poll rigging charges against CPM in Tripura

AGARTALA: The Election Commission (EC) will probe into allegations of electoral malpractice on April 7 and April 12 in various booths in Tripura by cadres belonging to the ruling CPM, said a senior official of the state election department.
Sources said the EC had taken serious note of the allegations and a high-level team will soon visit the state to interact with all concerned before reaching a conclusion.
All opposition parties on Tuesday jointly demanded repolling in the state's two Lok Sabha constituencies after video footage from some polling booths showed rampant proxy voting. The opposition parties demanded the expulsion of state chief electoral officer (CEO) Ashutosh Jindal and legal action against him for abetting the ruling CPM while conducting the poll process.
They also expressed serious resentment over the role of ECI in conducting fair election in Tripura as well as not responding to the complaints by the opposition in regard to violation of model code of conduct by CPM cadres.
Video footage and photographs of booth capturing and group voting in the presence of polling officials and the micro observer were aired on local television channels, triggering controversy among political parties. Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee accused the EC and Jindal of failing to discharge their duties honourably, adding that the poll officials had been working for CPM since the last assembly elections in the state which recorded a voter turnout of 94%. The Left won 50 seats.
TPCC spokesperson Ashok Sinha said the organization had forwarded photographs of more than one person voting in a polling compartment in the 2013 assembly polls, but the EC had not taken any action.
"We have complained to the EC many times about manipulation of electoral rolls, illegal favouring and booth capturing during last year's assembly polls but no steps were taken," said Sinha.
He added that Congress, along with other opposition parties in the state, did not dare to depute polling agents in half of the polling stations fearing their safety. Congress polling agents were threatened to leave the stations in the first half of polling and most of the stations remained empty since morning, he said. Till 3 pm, the polling percentage was 60, but it climbed up to 84 within an hour, he added.
Echoing Congress, BJP, Trinamool Congress, Tripura Progressive Gramin Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have also criticized the EC for 'failing to ensure fair election in the state'. The parties demanded re-election and action against Jindal.
Addressing separate press conferences, they alleged that EC deployed paramilitary forces in urban areas whereas rural booths were guarded only by state police.
"We do not recognize this election as it was manipulated by EC officials," said BJP state president Sudhindra Dasgupta, adding that adequate proof of electoral malpractice had been sent to Delhi.
Meanwhile, CPM refuted the allegations, stating, "The allegations are baseless and ridiculous. Congress and other opposition parties of the state remained completely detached from the people. Hence, they could not understand the mandate of the people."
Tripura recorded a voter turnout of 84.84%, the highest-ever Lok Sabha polling percent in the state since 1952.