Congress, independent candidates cry foul over vote count, procedures in MMC election

MOKOKCHUNG — Congress candidate I Temsu Jamir and independent candidate Alemtula, who contested from Sangtemla Ward-11 in the Mokokchung Municipal Council elections, have jointly alleged inconsistencies in vote counting and procedural lapses in two polling stations.

In separate press conferences on Monday, the candidates claimed that an extra vote was recorded in Polling Station-I, while two votes were missing or reduced from the final tally in Polling Station-II.

They further accused the returning officer (RO) of going against standard procedure, and announcing the results without obtaining signatures or consent from their counting agents, despite their requests for time to file a formal complaint.

Jamir, the Congress candidate, said that when the discrepancy was found, they asked for time to draft a complaint letter to the RO. Concurrently, the deputy commissioner of Mokokchung advised them to file a complaint with the election tribunal. However, while the complaint letter was being prepared, the election results were announced, allegedly without obtaining the necessary signatures from the counting agents representing Congress and independent candidates.

He said that while the RO cited a State Election Commission notification dated June 27, 2024, justifying the decision to declare the results, he argued that the said notification, concerning ballot paper accounting during counting, was not shared with candidates or political parties, raising concerns about transparency.

The copy was not sent to candidates, political parties or the public but only to election observers of municipalities and DCs of respective districts, he maintained.

“We are very dissatisfied with the election process and the handling of their complaints,” said Jamir.

Meanwhile, the Congress party also stated that legal measures will be taken in consultation with senior advocates of the Congress party based on the notification and observed lapses.

Further, both the Congress and independent candidates mentioned lapses during the polling day.

They alleged that Form 17 was issued without a seal and signatures from polling agents in Polling Station-II; but from Polling Station-I all details along with signatures were appended by polling agents of all three candidates and the presiding officer.