Arunachal: ECI seeks report on LS poll ‘booth capturing’
Guwahati: After a formal complaint filed by the Arunachal Democratic Party (ADP), the Election Commission of India (ECI) has requested a 'factual report' concerning alleged incidents of 'booth capturing' in the Nari-Koyu assembly constituency within Lower Siang district on the day of the simultaneous polls.
The ADP leaders lodged their complaint with the ECI on May 2, citing a lack of responsiveness from district- and state-level electoral officers regarding their concerns of booth capturing. Consequently, on May 6, the ECI issued a letter to the CEO of the state, urging the submission of a factual report regarding the filed complaints.
Former Arunachal Pradesh CM Gegong Apang, who leads the ADP and stands as the candidate for the 36-Nari-Koyu constituency, along with his party members, have called for re-polling at Saku, Sipu, Tabiripo, Kakki, and Potte polling stations.
This call came after reports surfaced alleging booth capturing and intimidation of election officers by BJP workers.
The party has lodged several FIRs with both the police and the ARO, outlining instances of violations and offensive activities. However, the party claims that no action has been taken by the authorities thus far.
ADP spokesperson Jhony Yangfo and the party's youth wing functionaries met with the returning officer of Nari-Koyu constituency in Likabali on Saturday. According to the party, they found the RO of Nari-Koyu and the district election officer to be "reluctant to accept verbal evidence regarding the reported booth capturing incidents."
Following the meeting with the RO, ADP leaders, speaking to the media in Likabali, expressed disappointment, stating that electoral officers are demanding documentary/video evidence to substantiate the complaints. They highlighted the absence of CCTV cameras at the polling stations and the refusal of polling agents to permit photography.
"We have ample verbal evidence, presented before the electoral officers with eyewitness statements. However, the electoral officers seem hesitant to acknowledge these and are insisting on documentary/video evidence," said Apang's secretary Bolmi Kaye.
Kaye expressed frustration over the lack of action despite the lodging of FIRs against individuals involved in criminal intimidation and assault.
The ADP leaders have urged the concerned authorities to conduct an impartial inquiry into the intimidation cases and have called for re-polling at the affected stations to ensure a free and fair election.