[Marxistindia] Memo to CEC -- Tripura -- Resume Counting

[news from the cpi(m)]

March 3, 2018
Press Release

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and Polit Bureau Member Brinda
Karat met the Chief Election Commissioner this evening seeking his
intervention to ensure that counting is resumed in three booths of
23-Dhanpur assembly constituency of Tripura from where Chief Minister
Manik Sarkar is contesting. Counting was stopped following the BJP’s
objections.

The CEC has assured that he will take immediate action according to the
rules.

The full text of the letter submitted to the CED is given below:

***

The Chief Election Commissioner
Election Commission of India
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

This is to draw your urgent attention and immediate intervention in the
process of counting of 23-Dhanpur A/C of Tripura. This is a constituency
of Manik Sarkar, Chief Minister. The counting of polling booths No. 42, 43
and 47 have been stopped. The BJP candidate has demanded repoll in these
booths on the plea that there are no signatures of polling agents of BJP
in the control units of these booths, though the signatures of the
Presiding Officer and the Polling agents of other parties are there.

Clearly this is a ruse to disrupt the counting process since the BJP
candidate is trailing.

In addition, we have got reports that with the help of ITBP counting
agents of the CPI(M) are being driven out from the counting centre leaving
Manik Sarkar alone, who is being gheraoed and heckled by the BJP agents.

This is a clear violation of counting procedures.

Your immediate intervention is required to ensure the continued counting
of votes of the above-mentioned polling booths and for more transparency
alongside the counting of VVPAT slips of these booths.

Please act urgently before the situation further deteriorates.

Yours truly



(Sitaram Yechury)
General Secretary