SHILLONG/ TURA: Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor has ruled out any laxity on the part of election officials over the alleged use of official machinery by the government functionaries prior to the polls as alleged by NPP.
Several FIRs were filed by the Congress against Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Home Minister James Sangma and other MLAs alleging the use of official machinery to influence voters.
However, NPP filed counter FIRs against former chief minister Mukul Sangma and others.
Kharkongor told reporters that five FIRs were lodged by the political parties and cases were registered.
“Showcause notices will be issued based on the complaints and we do not tolerate any violation of model code of conduct,” Kharkongor said.
To a query, Kharkongor said the flying squads were active and had rushed to the place in Ampati where there was a case of assault of three persons a few days ago.
MLA assaults Nokma
Meanwhile, Congress candidate Miani D Shira lodged a complaint with the returning officer on Monday accusing NPP of distributing money as well as intimidating voters in some villages after polling began in the morning. She also accused rebel Congress MDC who defected to NPP of trying to buy votes.
The complaint also said the NPP MLA from Raksamgre assaulted a village headman and intimidated voters.
NPP levelled similar allegations against the Congress with its youth leader Ian Botham K Sangma lodging an FIR accusing Mukul Sangma of violating the model code of conduct and threatening the electorate at Bollonggitok village to vote in favour of the Congress.
Shira in her complaint alleged that MDC Nripendra Koch was distributing money to voters at Samatigaon and two other villages.
Her complaint also accused Raksamgre NPP MLA Benedict Marak of assaulting the Nokma (village headman) of Thakurbari and intimidating voters of Rongramgre.
The nokma, Minondro Arengh, also filed a separate FIR at Monabari police outpost accusing the NPP legislator of attacking him.
Another block Congress leader filed a counter FIR against Ian Botham over the latter’s complaint.
While Ian Botham had charged the former chief minister of intimidating voters as well as bribing them at Bollonggitok village after the campaign ended, a block Congress leader lodged the FIR questioning the presence of Botham in Ampati constituency where he is not a registered voter.
Meanwhile, Shira alleged that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma was seen passing by Chengkompara in front of her residence with a convoy of 30 vehicles but avoiding the cameras placed in the town even. She said NPP leaders have made a mockery of the election model code of conduct.
“It is sad that I had to file FIRs and give complaints to the returning officer. It has taken a toll on me and my people. But the people listened to me when I told them to stay calm. I believe that even after all these things, people have seen and understood the difference in the leadership and the quality of leaders that we are,” she added.
