The Hindu : National : CEC holds talks with Manipur political leaders

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Thursday, Oct 19, 2006
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CEC holds talks with Manipur political leaders

Corespondent

Elections likely to be held in February 2007

N. Gopalswamy

IMPHAL: Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalswamy said here on Wednesday that all steps were being taken to ensure free and fair Assembly elections in Manipur, likely to be held in February next year.

He and Deputy Election Commissioner J.P. Prakash met representatives of the political parties on Tuesday to know their viewpoints. On Wednesday they had meetings with Collectors, superintendents of police, the DGP, the Chief Secretary and the Home secretary to discuss various aspects relating to the coming elections.

He told a press conference that the Election Commission would not press the Manipur Government to make voters' identity cards mandatory. Insurgents had collected all voters' ID cards for making a bonfire. Although a staggering amount of money had been spent on issuing the voters' ID cards no voter today holds such a card.

Representatives of the Manipur People's Party complained that in several tribal villages all the villagers including minors were listed as voters.

They requested the Commissioners to take note of it during the revision of the voters' list.

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