The incident occurred during the commissioning of EVMs and VVPATS for use in 12-Keishamthong AC.
TFM Desk
A man has been sent to police custody for covertly pocketing a ballot paper related to 12th General Election to the Manipur Legislative Assembly, 2022.
With respect to the conduct of the upcoming election, commissioning of EVMs and VVPATS for use in 12-Keishamthong AC took place at Kuranganayani Hall, DC Office Complex, Lamphelpat from 10:30 AM on Thursday.
During the Commissioning one H Naresh of Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai, a representative of Maheshwar Thounaojam, a contesting candidate from RPI (A) for 12 Keishamthong AC covertly pocketed one ballot paper bearing Serial No. 0001 that was meant to be used for Ballot Unit (BU) of 12-Keishamthong AC at 12:33 PM, according to a release by the district election officer of DC Imphal West District, Th. Kirankumar.
On finding out that the ballot paper was missing, an enquiry was conducted and the same was verified through CCTV footage. Thereafter, a complaint was lodged to the Officer-in-Charge, Lamphel Police. An FIR No. 28(2)2022LPS u/s 380 IPC was lodged against the person. The said ballot paper was recovered at 1:35 PM and the person is now in police custody.
“In order to instill a sense of faith and transparency of procedure in the electoral process, the Ballot Paper bearing Sl. No. 0001 of 12-Keishamthong AC was cancelled and rejected and further will not be used in the election,” Kirankumar said in the release.