Kohima, Apr 13 (PTI) The National People’s Party (NPP) on Monday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) for re-poll in two polling stations under the Koridang Assembly Constituency in Nagaland, citing serious irregularities and unusually low voter turnout during the bypoll on April 9.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, NPP National Secretary Saidul Khan stated that the party had earlier submitted a complaint on April 9, the day of the bypoll, regarding alleged suppression of voter turnout in Alichen Polling Stations II and IV, but had received no response so far.
According to the party, Alichen Polling Station II recorded only 114 votes out of 745 electors (around 15%), while Polling Station IV saw 147 votes cast out of 641 electors (around 23%).
The NPP described these figures as “grossly abnormal and statistically indefensible”, especially when compared to other polling stations in the same cluster.
The party alleged that the low turnout resulted from multiple factors, including a mid-day halt in voting due to Aadhaar and voter ID verification, interference by the ECI observer and district administration, and an “intimidatory security environment” due to the presence of IRB personnel. It further claimed that authorities failed to extend polling hours or restore voter confidence.
The party has urged the Commission to declare polling in the two stations as invalid and conduct a re-poll limited to these booths.
It also demanded deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to ensure a free and fair process, along with a time-bound inquiry into the role of the ECI observer, district administration, and IRB personnel.
The NPP also called for the preservation of videography, presiding officer diaries, and other poll records related to the affected stations. PTI NBS NBS RG
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