Give strong room CCTV link to candidates: Ripun Bora

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: APCC (Assam Pradesh Congress Committee) president Ripun Bora has moved the CEO (Chief Electoral Officer), Assam seeking strong room CCTV link to poll candidates.

Talking to the media at Rajiv Bhawan on Wednesday, Bora said, "Considering several unwanted incidents already reported in connection with EVMs in several places during different election phases, it has now become very much essential to ensure protection of the EVMs from rigging."

The APCC president also pointed out that BJP's Patharkandi MLA's car was used to carry EVM machines. He questioned as why the MLA has not been arrested as yet. "The Election Commission must provide clarification on incidents related to EVM malfunctioning and recovery of EVMs in unexpected places," he added.

Referring to several untoward incidents on the day of voting in Barkehtri, Jalukbari, East Gauhati and West Gauhati, Bora wanted action against the guilty. He also alleged that Gauhati East LAC's BJP candidate Siddhartha Bhattacharya was found to have misbehaved with a police officer. He said that legal action should be taken against Bhattacharya.

Bora further said that the people of the State voted against the ruling alliance in this poll, and those votes have gone to the Mahajoot. "With our own assessment and that of agents we've come to know that we've swept this poll. We are sure to get 101 seats, and form the government," Bora asserted.

On the arrest of social activist Sikha Sarma, Bora said that "her arrest is a legal matter that will follow its own course". He, however, strongly condemned the hate speech against her on social media, and demanded that the government should take stringent action against those who have posted such messages.

He also condemned Minister Pijush Hazarika's 'threat' to two journalists and urged police authorities to ensure that proper action is taken against the minister, besides disqualifying his candidature.

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