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Tag: Assam assembly elections

  • Magisterial probe ordered into Assam EVM row

    By PTI
    KARIMGANJ/HAILAKANDI: A magisterial probe has been ordered to determine why a polling team in Assam carried an EVM in a vehicle owned by the wife of a BJP candidate, officials said on Saturday.

    Karimganj District Deputy Superintendent Anbamuthan MP issued an order on Friday night to probe the incident, which has snowballed into a huge controversy amid the ongoing Assam assembly elections, the last phase of which is slated for Tuesday.

    Additional District Magistrate Rajeshan Terang has been asked to conduct the enquiry and submit a detailed report within three days.

    “…This incident posed a threat to security of the polled EVMs and has an adverse effect on the law and order situation,” the order said.

    The probe will also find out the circumstances leading to the poll party travelling in a private vehicle, and ascertain whether there was any lapse or conspiracy on the part of the authorities.

    Violence had broken out on the outskirts of Karimganj town on Thursday night after a crowd spotted a BJP candidate’s vehicle being used to transport a polled EVM to the strong room, prompting the police to fire in the air to bring the situation under control.

    The poll team from Ratabari constituency claimed that its official vehicle broke down midway, forcing them to ask for a lift from a passing vehicle, which turned out to be that of the wife of BJP’s Patharkandi candidate.

    Sitting MLA Krishnendu Paul is the BJP candidate from the Patharkandi seat, while Ratabari is currently represented by his party MLA Bijoy Malakar, who is contesting the election as well.

    Ratabari and Patharkandi constituencies went to the polls in the second phase on Thursday.

    The Election Commission has suspended four election officials and ordered repolling at the booth.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also sought an inquiry by the commission.

    Meanwhile, police arrested at least six persons for allegedly live streaming the violence that had erupted after the incident, and inciting the mob to attack the private vehicle in which the poll party was travelling with three units of the EVM from 149 Indira MV School in Ratabari.

    “We are identifying the people who were seen attacking the vehicle in the videos…more arrests are likely,” a senior police official said.

    Opposition Congress and the AIUDF have slammed the authorities for the incident, and alleged that the EVM was being “stolen”.

    Demanding an explanation and immediate action, Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora said the party will consider boycotting the election if “this open loot and rigging of EVMs” does not stop immediately.

  • Assam Assembly elections: Congress holds protest over EVM row

    By PTI
    GUWAHATI: Following a controversy over a polling team in Assam carrying an EVM in the vehicle belonging to the wife of a BJP candidate, the Congress on Saturday held a protest against the incident and alleged that the ruling party in the state is indulging in electoral manipulation.

    Amid slogan-shouting by the party workers, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Ripun Bora urged the Election Commission to take strict action against the BJP leaders who carry out illegal activities that hamper the polling process.

    The protest rally was not allowed to move forward on the busy arterial G S Road and stopped at the gate of the state Congress headquarters ‘Rajiv Bhawan’.

    Bora submitted a memorandum to Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime and Law and Order) Debaraj Upadhaya to send it to the Office of Chief Electoral Officer of the state.

    Violence had broken out in Karimganj district of Assam on Thursday night after a crowd spotted the BJP candidate’s vehicle being used to transport a polled EVM to the strong room, forcing the police to fire in the air to bring the situation under control.

    The incident snowballed into a huge controversy on Friday morning with the opposition Congress and AIUDF alleging that the EVM was being “stolen”, prompting the Election Commission to suspended four poll officials and order a repoll at the booth as a video of the fiasco went viral on social media.

    According to a district official, the vehicle of the polling party of the 149-Indira MV School in the Ratabari constituency broke down on its way to the strong room in Karimganj town, and they took a lift on a private car.

    Incidentally, the car was registered under the name of the wife of the sitting BJP MLA from Patharkandi Krishnendu Paul who is seeking re-election from the same seat this time, the official had said.

    Ratabari is currently represented by BJP MLA Bijoy Malakar, who is contesting the election as well.

    “Krishnendu Paul was found carrying an EVM in his car.

    This was done in violation of the Election Code of Conduct and the laws laid down under the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951,” Bora said, citing his party’s memorandum.

    He also alleged that people found several EVMs in a vehicle not requisitioned for election purpose near Hatipura polling station in Diphu town.

    “Several voting machines were also seized in Jamunamukh constituency when being carried by government officials without security personnel.

    An EVM was missing from a polling booth in Kalaigaon segment,” the Congress claimed in its representation to the CEO.

    Congress Campaign Committee chairman Pradyut Bordoloi said, “We urged the EC to uphold the sanctity of political representation in a democracy and take action against the glaring misuse of power by the ruling regime in Assam.

    ” “The party and the people are convinced that the BJP is rattled, that is why it is resorting to treachery to win the elections,” he alleged.

    Meanwhile, the Election Commission reduced the 48-hour campaign ban imposed on Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma to 24 hours after he tendered an “unconditional apology” and assured the poll panel that he will abide by the provisions of the model code.

    The BJP leader now can start campaigning from Saturday evening.

    He was on Friday initially barred from campaigning- related activities till April 4 for allegedly making threatening remarks against Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary.

    The Congress had approached the EC demanding action against Sarma for his remark that Mohilary would be sent to jail through central probe agency NIA if he does “extremism” with rebel leader M Batha.

    The BPF is an ally of the Congress in Assam.

    It was previously with the BJP.

    Canvassing for the third and final phase of Assam assembly elections comes to an end on the evening of April 4.

    The final phase of polling will be held on April 6.

    The Assam Congress chief also urged the poll panel to take action against state minister Pijush Hazarika who allegedly threatened two journalists for reporting about a controversial campaign speech by his wife.

    The minister is contesting from the Jagiroad constituency where polling took place in the second phase on Thursday.

  • EC should also bar PM Modi, Amit Shah from campaigning in Assam: Congress

    Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday said the EC should also ban Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and JP Nadda from campaigning to ensure free and fair elections in the state.

  • Election Commission bars Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning for 48 hours

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday barred Assam minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma from campaigning for 48 hours with immediate effect for allegedly making threatening remarks against Bodoland People’s Front chief Hagrama Mohilary.

    “…The Commission hereby strongly condemns the impugned statements made by Himanta Biswa Sarma..”

    “The Commission..bars him from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, road shows, interviews and public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media) in connection with ongoing elections for 48 hours from immediate effect on April 02 (Friday),” the order read.

    Sarma has thus been barred from campaigning and related activities till April 4.

    Campaigning for the third and final phase of Assam assembly elections comes to an end on the evening of April 4.

    The final phase of polling will be held on April 6.

    In his reply on Friday to the EC notice, Sarma denied the allegations.

    But the EC said it did not find Sarma’s reply satisfactory.

    The Congress had approached the EC demanding action against Sarma for his remark that Mohilary would be sent to jail through central probe agency NIA if he does “extremism” with rebel leader M Batha.

    The Bodoland People’s Front is an ally of the Congress in Assam.

    It was previously with the BJP.

    On Thursday, the EC notice to Sarma quoted transcript of the speech provided by the state election machinery.

    “If Hagrama does extremism with Batha he will go to jail. This is a straight talk. If Hagrama encourages Batha, he will go to jail. Already got lot of evidence. This case is being given to NIA,” according to a portion of Sarma’s speech made part of the notice.

  • No deliberate or mala fide intention to disrupt poll process: EC’s special observer on Assam EVM row

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission’s (EC) special observer on Friday said there was no “deliberate or mala fide intention” to disrupt the poll process after a controversy erupted in Assam when a polling party carried an EVM after voting in a vehicle that belonged to the wife of a BJP candidate from a neighbouring seat.

    The observer said the incident appears to be an isolated one “due to the total negligence and foolishness of the presiding officer and his team”.

    The commission ordered a repoll on Friday at a polling booth in Assam’s Ratabari Assembly constituency after the controversy.

    To prevent the polling team from being assaulted in Karimganj by a mob, which alleged that the electronic voting machine (EVM) was being taken for tampering, police had to use force.

    In a statement earlier in the day, the EC said the presiding officer and three other officials were placed under suspension.

    The special observer also recommended that action be taken against the armed escort officer for leaving behind the stranded polling party and not ensuring its safe arrival at the destination.

    He said there does not seem to be any ground to change the RO (returning officer) as it appears to be an isolated incident “due to the total negligence and foolishness of the presiding officer and his team”.

    “There is otherwise no deliberate or mala fide intention in the incident aimed to disrupt the polling process,” the special observer said.

    To ensure credibility and fairness, it is appropriate to order a repoll in PS (polling station) number 149 – Indira MV School of LAC 1 Ratabari, the observer added.

    “Consequent to commission’s decision, Presiding Officer Sahab Uddin Talukdar, First Polling Officer Sourav Acharjee, Second Polling Officer Abdul Mumit Choudhary, Third Polling Officer Sahab Uddin Tapadar have already been placed under suspension since forenoon today,” the poll panel said.

    Thereafter, on the receipt of the special general observer’s report, Armed Escort Officer Luhit Gohain, Sub-Inspector of Police (Armed Branch) of the 3rd Assam Police Battalion, Titabor, was also suspended, it added.

    “Although the seals of the EVM were found intact, it has nevertheless been decided to do a re-poll at No.149 – Indira M V School of LAC 1 Ratabari (SC) as an added precaution,” the poll panel said in the afternoon.

    According to the details made public by the EC, the polling party of polling booth number 149 of the Ratabari constituency consisted of a presiding officer and three polling personnel.

    They were accompanied by a police constable and a home guard.

    After the completion of polling at 6 pm on Thursday, the polling party left in a vehicle provided by the election authorities and was escorted by an armed escort.

    It was raining heavily and the vehicle developed a snag.

    “Due to traffic congestion and the prevailing weather condition, the party became detached from its convoy,” the EC statement said.

    The polling party got off the vehicle and asked the sector officer over the phone to arrange for another one.

    While the sector officer was arranging for a vehicle, the polling party decided to arrange one on its own to reach the Material Receipt Centre faster since it was in custody of polled EVMs.

    The polling party stopped a passing vehicle and boarded it along with the EVM, comprising a ballot unit (BU), a control unit (CU) and a paper trail machine (VVPAT), and other things, without checking the ownership of the vehicle.

    As reported by the polling party, the vehicle moved towards Karimganj and had to slow down due to traffic.

    As the vehicle slowed down, it was surrounded by a mob of about 50 people that started pelting stones at the polling party.

    The mob also abused them and did not allow the vehicle to pass.

    When they asked the leader of the mob, he said the vehicle belongs to Krishnendu Paul, the BJP candidate from a neighbouring constituency (Patharkandi LAC-2), and alleged that “the EVM was being taken to be tampered with”.

    “It was only then that they realised that something was amiss and alerted the sector officer. However, a larger crowd had gathered by then and they were attacked and held hostage by a mob along with the EVM in the vehicle at 2145 hrs, alleging that the EVM was being taken to be tampered with,” the statement said.

    “In the meanwhile, the antecedents of the vehicle were ascertained and it was found to be registered in the name of Madhumita Paul, wife of contesting candidate, Patharkandi LAC (legislative assembly constituency) No 2, Krishnendu Paul,” it added.

    Police reached the spot along with the district election officer and used force to pull out the polling party.

    Later, on examination, the seals of the polled EVM were found to be intact with no damage whatsoever.

    “All the items have been deposited in the strong room,” the statement said.

  • Opposition parties press for disqualification of Assam Minister from polls for threatening scribes

    By PTI
    GUWAHATI: Opposition Congress, AIUDF, Raijor Dal and Assam Jatiya Dal on Friday demanded immediate disqualification of Minister Pijush Hazarika from Assembly polls for allegedly threatening two journalists for reporting a controversial election speech of his wife.

    An FIR has been registered against Hazarika, who is Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, with Jagiroad police station in Morigaon district on the basis of complaint filed by the concerned journalist Najrul Islam.

    The complainant has also been provided a police bodyguard with immediate effect.

    In an audio clip telecast by Assamese news channel Pratidin Time, Hazarika was heard talking to journalist Nazrul Islam and, during the conversation, the minister threatened him and another scribe, Tulsi, to drag them out of their homes and “vanish” them.

    Addressing a press conference here, All India Congress Committee General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala condemned the threats of Hazarika and said his outburst is a signal of his loss from the Jagiroad constituency.

    The AIUDF Organisational General Secretary Aminul Islam slammed the BJP leader and said the power has made him arrogant and disrespectful.

    Raijor Dal Advisers Sitanath Lahkar and Ghanashyam Nath said there are enough grounds under relevant sections of the law to disqualify the BJP minister from the ongoing elections.

    “We strongly condemn the language and threat to journalists by minister Pijush Hazarika. He behaved like a goon. The Election Commission should immediately disqualify him and that is our demand,” Lahkar said.

    There are sufficient grounds as per the Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 and Section 171C of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 to disqualify the minister, he added.

    “A journalist worked as per his ethics and Hazarika threatened to make him disappear, drag him and break his legs. What does it mean? Is it not a language of a goon? “Unfortunately, we are seeing that the ECI is not taking actions as required. They need to be more strict,” the Raijor Dal Advisers said.

    The Assam Jatiya Parishad General Secretary Jagadish Bhuyan too condemned the threat to a journalist and demanded immediate action against the BJP minister.

    Hundreds of journalists, advocates, students, intellectuals and other sections of the society came out on roads during the day and protested against Hazarika’s threats to the two scribes and demanded immediate arrest of the BJP minister.

    The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) have also condemned the action and asked the ECI to disband him from the polls.

    The Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, Assam and demanded to disqualify Hazarika from Assembly polls.

    The Gauhati Press Club (GPC) also condemned the “act of intimidation in the strongest words” and said that it is very unbecoming of a public representative to threaten a journalist of dire consequences, no matter what.

    Hazarakia said in the phone conversation, which has now gone viral, that he was “sad” because the news was related to his wife Aimee Baruah, who in campaign for her husband a few days ago made a controversial comment on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

    At a public meeting a few days ago in Jagiroad constituency of Hazarika, Baruah was seen stating that the people from the Bengali community will be thrown out of the country if the CAA is not implemented.

    Hazarika, who is in the fray from Jagiroad constituency where voting is over, could not be reached for his comment on the issue.

  • Assam polls: Congress launches all-out attack after EVMs allegedly found in BJP candidate’s car

    Express News Service
    GUWAHATI: The Congress on Friday launched an all-out attack on the Election Commission and the BJP hours after electronic voting machines (EVMs) were retrieved from the car of a “BJP MLA”.

    “We have written to the Election Commission asking it if it is a party to EVM theft or it has closed its eyes like Dhritarashtra. The EVMs were found in the vehicle of BJP’s Patharkandi candidate (and sitting MLA) Krishnendu Paul and you have ordered re-poll at a booth in Ratabari constituency. How did you do that? Did you conduct a probe of how the EVMs made their way into Paul’s car? Shouldn’t Paul and others be arrested? Why the EC is not showing the guts to act is our question,” Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala told journalists in Guwahati.

    He wondered if the EC was giving its back to its constitutional duties. “The EC’s credibility is being questioned today,” he said. Surjewala raised some questions and asked the Commission to answer. He asked what made it to transport EVMs in the vehicle of a BJP candidate.

    ALSO READ | Two injured as police fires rubber bullets to prevent mob from snatching EVM in Assam

    “In Hatipora of Karbi Anglong, EVMs were found in a luxury car. From when has the EC started transporting EVMs in luxury cars? It has to answer this. In Jamunamukh, EVMs were found in another vehicle. There were government officials in it but it was not escorted. There are standing Supreme Court directions that EVMs can be transported, before and after an election, only in the custody of paramilitary forces,” Surjewala said.

    He asked if it was true that an EVM disappeared from a booth in Kalaigaon and later, retrieved by the voters. He wanted to know what actions the EC had taken if the incident was true. “In Dibrugarh, the movement of suspicious people was noticed at the strong room. What action was taken?” Surjewala asked.

    He claimed the Congress-led and 10-party grand alliance of Opposition would get three/fourth majority in the polls. The third and final phase of which will be held on April 6.

    “The BJP should now be named EVM Chor Party. It will not gain much by stealing two-four EVMs. People have already given their verdict. We are winning with three/fourth majority,” Surjewala said, adding, “Staring at defeat, the BJP is doing what it usually does. It should gracefully accept defeat”.

  • Three injured in firing by Assam Assembly Deputy Speaker’s bodyguards following clashes between BJP, AIUDF supporters

    By PTI
    SILCHAR: At least three persons were injured in firing by the bodyguards of Assam Assembly Deputy Speaker Aminul Haque Laskar on Thursday after clashes broke out between supporters of BJP and AIUDF.

    Cachar district Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli confirmed “an incident” and said the administration is waiting for a detailed report from the polling station at 463 Madhya Dhanehori LP School of Sonai constituency.

    “They are all non-critical,” she said when asked how many people were injured and their health status.

    When contacted the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Assam, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Rahul Chandra Das said they will be able to comment only after a detailed report is received from the Returning Officer.

    A huge contingent of police and central armed police forces have been deployed, while the district SP has rushed to the spot, officials said.

    According to the Dhanehori gaon panchayat president Lutfa Begum, public protested when Laskar entered the booth in late afternoon.

    “People alleged that he has tried to rig the voting. Many people rushed to the spot and confined Laskar in one room. Due to this the situation became tens. A clash broke out between supporters of Laskar and his opponent,” she added.

    Sitting MLA Laskar is having a direct contest with Karim Uddin Barbhuiya of the AIUDF at Sonai, where voting took place on Thursday in the second phase.

    “When a big crowd gathered and they tried to manhandle Laskar, his PSOs fired. In this, at least three persons were injured and they were admitted in hospitals,” Begum said.

    The wounded have been identified as Shamim Ahmed Choudhury, Baharul Islam and Kader Hussain, she added.

    Repeated calls made to IG (Law and Order)-cum-State Police Nodal Officer Deepak Kr Kedia and Cachar SP Bhanwar Lal Meena were disconnected.

    An estimated 72 per cent polling took place in Sonai, while Cachar saw a turnout of 72.28 per cent.

  • Second phase polls: 80.53 per cent turnout in Bengal, 73.03 per cent in Assam

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Assam recorded a voter turnout of 73.03 per cent on Thursday, while the figure stood at 80.53 per cent for West Bengal in the second phase of assembly polls in the two states.

    The Election Commission said these figures were till 5 pm.

    The second phase of polls in the two states was held peacefully across 21,212 polling stations spread over 69 assembly constituencies, it said.

    “The voter turnout reported by 5 pm from the 39 assembly constituencies of phase 2 in Assam is 73.03 per cent. The poll percentage reported from the 30 assembly constituencies of phase 2 in West Bengal is 80.43 per cent as of 5 pm,” the Commission said in a statement.

    It said the “non-functioning rate” of electronic voting machines during the poll is lesser than experienced in last few polls.

    It, however, did not explain the total number of machines replaced.

    During this phase, a total of 10620 ballot units, and an equal number of control units and VVPATs were used in West Bengal.

    In Assam, 10819 ballot units, 10592 control units and as many VVPATs were used.

    One control unit, at least one ballot unit and one VVPAT makes up for one EVM.

    During the ongoing elections till second phase, a record seizure of Rs.366.09 crore have been made from both the states.

    The seizure figure, which includes seizure of cash, liquor, narcotics and freebies, is more than six times higher than the total combined seizure of Rs 60.91 crore in assembly elections of 2016, the statement said.

    A total number of 1306 cases of Model Code of Conduct violations were reported through the cVIGIL app from Assam out of which 927 were disposed as of 4.30 pm.

    Similarly, 14499 cases were reported from West Bengal with 11630 disposed till 4.30 pm.

  • Will reach majority mark in Assam from results of first 2 phases: Congress

    By PTI
    GUWAHATI: The Congress on Thursday claimed that the alliance led by it will reach the majority mark of 64 in the 126-member Assam Assembly from the results of the first two phases of the election as the people of the state have responded to its “positive campaign”.

    Addressing a press conference here, AICC spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said that the Congress-led Grand Alliance is on track to achieve its target of winning 101 seats in the elections.

    The Congress, which was in power for 15 years in Assam since 2001, has formed a Grand Alliance with the AIUDF, BPF, Left parties, the RJD and others to fight the Assembly election against the BJP-led NDA.

    “With nearly 80 per cent polling in the first phase, the Congress is sweeping Upper Assam. Also, the information we are getting today, we will cross the majority mark after the second phase itself,” Vallabh said.

    An estimated 79.97 per cent of voters in 47 seats exercised their franchise in the first phase on March 27, while the second phase of voting for 39 seats took place on Thursday.

    The third phase of the election for the remaining 40 seats will be held on April 6.

    Senior Congress leader Manish Tiwari, who was also present at the press conference, said, “The Congress has contested this election with a very positive campaign. The people of the state have responded to it very enthusiastically.”

    The people of Assam should be very careful about protecting the Constitutional privileges that the state and North East have got, he said.

    Tiwari said, “If the BJP comes to power again in Assam or (states of) Northeast, it is not far that Constitutional guarantees to this region like Articles 371B, and Sixth Schedule of the Constitution will also be curtailed.

    Article 371B deals with special provisions with respect to Assam.

    The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram to safeguard the rights of the tribal population in these states.

    He said that the BJP abrogated the Article 370 which was about special provisions for Jammu and Kashmir, and brought an Act which will curtail the powers of the elected government of Delhi.

    “Their (BJP’s) idea of India is different from those who created the Constitution. They don’t understand India. And they do not understand the border states of India,” the Congress MP said.

    The former union minister said that the Assam election is very important for its future and is Constitutional position in the Indian perspective.

    “The NDA brought the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. This law is totally unconstitutional. Religion cannot be the basis to determine citizenship. When the Supreme Court will hear this, I fully hope that the law’s unconstitutionality will be out,” he said.

    The objective of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act is to grant Indian citizenship to people of minority communities Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, who had come to India till December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution in these countries.

    The state witnessed violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019 and five persons lost their lives.

    The protestors saw the law as a threat to their cultural identity and livelihood.

    Tiwari said that the Congress-led UPA brought 27 crore people out of the Below Poverty Line category during its 10- year rule at the Centre.

    “This was stated by current Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her last budget speech. On the other hand, 27 crore people have fallen in BPL category in the last seven years of the NDA,” he said.

    India’s economy grew at 7.8 per cent during the UPA’s 10 years, while this year’s GDP growth rate is minus 7.7 per cent, he added.

    “Communal harmony is essential for the development of any state. The BJP’s electoral model is religious polarisation between Hindus and Muslims. It is not attached to any religion, but only power,” he said.