Special observer for Tripura, EC undecided on re-polling
Our Bureau
NEW DELHI, April 22, 2019: The Election Commission (EC) on Monday has appointed a special observer to investigate over the reports of large scale rigging that took place in Tripura in the first phase of polling on April 11.
“The Election Commission has said that the observer will now investigate into the matter,” said CPM politburo member Niluptal Basu after meeting the election commissioner in New Delhi.
Alleging rigging in the first phase of polling on April 11, the CPM has been demanding that re-polling should take place in 464 polling booths in Tripura.
“We want action. We want that people can cast their vote in a free atmosphere,” said Basu after the meeting on Monday evening. Basu has informed that the commission has not yet decided whether re-polling will take place or not.
Basu said that he has submitted documents to the election commission which consist of a FIR copy registered by the state election commission alleging the ruling party leaders in Tripura of involving in rigging.
“The state election commissioner has also registered FIR alleging rigging by the BJP leaders and we have those documents,” said Basu.
He said that anticipating deteriorated law and order situation, the election commissioner itself has postponed the date for the second phase of polling in Tripura from April 18 to April 23.
Polling for the Tripura East Lok Sabha seat will take place on Tuesday.