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Local body elections: Local body elections are to be held in Arunachal Pradesh on 15th December. Looking at the election results of Bihar, Congress fears that BJP may create trouble here too to win.
Local body elections: There are local body elections in Arunachal Pradesh on 15 December. Looking at the election results of Bihar, Congress fears that BJP may create trouble here too to win. Due to this fear, Congress has now taken refuge in the Election Commission. Arunachal Pradesh Congress has submitted a memorandum to the State Election Commission alleging widespread irregularities, massive cash distribution, voter intimidation and misuse of government machinery in the Panchayat and municipal elections to be held on December 15. The ruling BJP rejected the allegations and claimed that Congress had lost the trust of the people. The Congress, in a memorandum to the State Election Commission on Monday, alleged that information received from the public, media platforms and ground observers indicates that the upcoming elections are not expected to be the fairest in the state’s history. Due to which democratic integrity and sanctity of ballot paper is being destroyed.
Public confidence in the electoral process is eroding
According to the opposition party, fair elections maintain the dignity of democracy at the grassroots level. Now these elections have turned into the most expensive and unethical elections due to vote-buying, mass parties and misuse of government resources for political gains. The Congress party alleged that money and power have influenced ideology and turned democratic choice into a transactional activity, thereby eroding public confidence in the electoral process. Congress also accused the ruling BJP of misusing the administrative machinery. The party alleged that policemen, administrative and local officials are being pressured to work in favor of ruling party candidates, while those attempting to maintain neutrality are facing transfers, threats or harassment. Congress accused BJP of running large-scale cash-for-vote campaigns in various areas in view of the elections. BJP is forcing voters to submit their voter ID cards after taking money.
People have no hope from Congress: BJP
The Congress also alleged that the elections have been turned into a barter system, where votes are being exchanged for cash, liquor, ration, consumer goods and other inducements. On the other hand, state BJP chief spokesperson Muchu Mithi termed these allegations baseless. Mithi, MLA from Roing assembly constituency, said in a statement that the State Election Commission conducts local elections on the basis of rules and procedures and not on the basis of rumours. Institutions are driven by processes, not political frustrations. Congress is disappointed because it has lost the trust of the people. The public has no expectations from Congress. They can make allegations and people will answer them in the elections. In view of the elections, Arunachal Pradesh Congress urged the Commission to take immediate corrective steps, in which all the irregularities can be thoroughly investigated.
Also read: Yogendra Yadav’s big allegation: SIR is the biggest voting rights violation in West Bengal, said – conspiracy to ban voting.
