Congress leader Takam Pario and others demand repoll in Rakso polling station

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: Senior Congress leader and party nominee from Palin Assembly constituency in Kra Daadi district of Arunachal Pradesh, Takam Pario, alleged electoral malpractices by the supporters of his rival and has demanded repolling at Rakso polling station, which went to fresh polls on Saturday along with five other polling booths in the constituency.

In a complaint letter to the Returning Officer of Palin, Pario alleged that the JD(U) workers brought from various villages, besides engaging in intimidating the voters, blocked the entry point to Rakso polling station with entire approach road from Lumba to Rakso being sealed a day before the repolling.

More than 150 duly registered voters including women and children who were transported by bus and other vehicles were stopped and even assaulted by JD (U) workers on Friday evening, he alleged.

“When (Congress) voters in the middle of the way urged you to take them to the polling station, you could not make them reach their homes and polling station. We have forewarned you that they, JD (U) supporters, will try to capture the polling booth. Moreover, you had promised to ensure duly registered voters to reach the polling station in the presence of the DIG but we faced the same (booth capturing) situation,” Pario wrote to the RO. The Congress candidate also wrote: “I along with my election agent went to visit the polling station but found that Congress polling agents were stopped from reaching the polling station with a threat of shooting them… my vehicle was stoned and poured petrol with an intention to kill me with my security personnel. After that I have returned to my own village after leaving registered voters in the middle of the road between Rakso to Lumba RWD road.

When you and DIG tried to visit and reach Rakso polling station, the booth had already been captured. Administration totally failed to protect the voters, giving free hands to JD (U) workers to capture the votes.”

Pario pleaded the RO to immediately recommend for fresh poll at Rakso polling station, while suggesting the polling station be shifted to district headquarters Koloriang or the office of RO Palin.

On the other hand, the JD(U) has refuted the Congress candidate’s allegations of booth capturing and his demand for repolling at Rakso.

In a representation submitted to the District Election Officer, the JD (U) said that repolling at Rakso was conducted peacefully without any untoward incident. However, few voters who have already casted vote by postal ballot were trying to disturb the polling process but failed.

Also read: Arunachal news