The State Progressive Women’s Forum (SPWF), fighting for the democratic rights of women in the State, on Wednesday held Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mona Sharma and her officers responsible for the illegalities that took place in Mahakalpada and other parts of the State in the just-concluded elections.
“The claim of the CEO of having conducted free and fair elections is baseless. The role of the Marsaghai BDO in keeping an EVM-laden Bolero at his residence is just an example of the ‘free and fair’ elections. Even after submission of sufficient evidence to the CEO by the Opposition parties on the involvement of certain political party in booth rigging and false voting, no action has been taken yet which clearly exposes the reality,” said SPWF chairperson Mamata Samantray here at a Press conference.
She demanded immediate removal of the CEO from her position, besides strong legal action against the concerned officials. She further demanded re-polling in the Mahakalpada Assembly seat.
Also condemning the arrest of people who attacked the BDO, she said, “While the concerned officials engaged in election duty fail to discharge their duties properly and are engaged in illegalities, it is natural for people to lose control. Hence, the Election Commission of India (ECI) should take up the issue seriously and ensure stern action against the officers concerned instead of common people.” She said an eight-member team of the forum would meet the ECI on Thursday in this regard.