Shri Nilotpal Basu, member of the Central Secretariat of Communist Party of India (Marxist) met Chief Election Commissioner, Shri Om Prakash Rawat, today at the Election Commission office on the question of holding peaceful, free and fair elections to the Tripura Assembly. The discussion was cordial and the CEC assured to look into concerns raised by the Party as detailed out in the representation (attached herewith) with all seriousness.
(Hari Singh Kang)
For CPI(M) Central Committee office
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Dear Sir,
We are constrained to draw your attention to certain major corrupt practices which the BJP is indulging in, in the run-up to the Tripura Assembly elections. The CPI(M) Tripura State Committee has already brought this to the notice of the Chief Electoral Officer, Tripura and copies have been duly forwarded to the Commission.
The issue pertains to the announcement made in the social media campaign page of the BJP where an advertisement has been published for non-resident voters from outside the state with a promise for free train travel to Tripura by showing their voter ID cards, posing this as a ‘gift’ from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is a clear violation of Section 123 (5) and punishable under Section 133 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The copy of the said advertisement is also attached as part of the Annexure-1 appended herewith.
As you are aware that there are questions in the public mind about the integrity of the EVM machines. It is through the relentless efforts of parties like us and recognition of the problem by the ECI, the VVPAT has been introduced to address some of these concerns. In course of the mock polling with EVM in part 47 of 41-Ampinagar Assembly Constituency, the machine was recording votes for the lotus symbol, regardless of the buttons pressed. The officials in-charge of the demonstration accepted the malfunctioning of the machine. While there is no difficulty in accepting malfunction of the machines, what is surprising why do all malfunctions end up in recording votes for the ‘lotus’. Not only do we urge you to ensure that there should not be any single malfunction at the time of actual polls, but to inspire confidence among the voters, at least for 20 percent of the booths, both their EVM records and the VVPAT records must be tallied during counting and this must be duly notified , so that the growing concern about the integrity of the machines can be dispelled (Annexure-2).
We are given to understand that a large number of outsiders have entered and are camping in Tripura; some of them are even using official state government accommodation. As far information available with us, the substantial number of outsiders are sheltered at present at : (1) Anandamayee Ashram, Palace Compound, Agartala (2) Madan Mohan Ashram, Melarmath, Agartala (3) Sonar Tori Hotel, Agartala (4) Geetanjali Tourism Department Guest House, Agartala (5) near TRTC Depot, Khowai Town of Khowai district etc. Obviously, you are aware that Tripura is a border state and the holding of peaceful elections is extremely important from the standpoint of national security. Therefore, unless the election administration takes a pro-active approach to deal with any attempt to subvert peace, it will be difficult to ensure and sustain the tradition of peaceful free and fair elections in the state. Therefore, whatever measure including the role of intelligence agencies and the security forces are needed should be initiated to stop non-voters from playing any role which is disruptive of a peaceful atmosphere (Annexure-2 and Annexure-4).
It is shocking that the BJP’s campaign booklet on Seventh Pay Commission where the photograph of the Governor has been used. We need not repeat the role of the Governor as a Constitutional functionary; therefore, this thoroughly unacceptable conduct of the BJP needs to be immediately stopped by public denouncement and seizure of this publicity material (Annexure-2).
We are also shocked that a so-called video film by an allegedly independent director is being used by BJP. Captioned “Lal Sarkar”, the film without certification cannot be shown; but the trailer which also needs a certification is being screened as part of the BJP’s campaign material (Annexure-3 and Annexure-6). This is the link address to the this video content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbm5DMqNGas. The contents clearly establish that they are violative of para 1(1) and para 1(2) of the Model Code of Conduct. Therefore, we urge you to initiate steps to stop the screening of this material.
We are alarmed by the fact that the vetting of speeches and video clippings for official broadcast/telecast over All India Radio and Doordarshan has been outsourced to two journalists attached to traditionally anti-Left media. To ensure the impartiality of the election process, the task of vetting should be undertaken by AIR and DD in house (Annexure-7).
We are also forwarding Annexures 8, 9 and 10 to draw your attention to blatant violations.
Thanking you,
With regards,
Sd/-
(Nilotpal Basu)
Member, Central Secretariat
Communist Party of India (Marxist)