BJP wants army deployment for peaceful polls in east Arunachal

The BJP in Arunachal Pradesh today alleged that candidates of several political parties in the troubled districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding were taking help from underground elements to intimidate voters.
"Reports from the districts revealed that the Police had seized a AK series rifle from the vehicle of a candidate," party's state unit president Tai Tagak told a press conference here today.
Tagak, however, was reluctant to disclose the name of the candidate and his political affiliation from whose possession the arms were recovered.
"We appeal to the Election Commission to take stock of the situation immediately and deploy Army in the troubled eastern Arunachal districts and ensure that democratic rights of the people are not being curtailed," Tagak said.

Alleging that the ruling Congress in the state had resorted to unfair means to brighten its prospects in the April 9 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state, Tagak said despite the Model Code of Conduct being in force, the ruling party conducted monetary transactions to "manage" 11 seats unopposed.
He alleged the ruling party even carried cash through chopper which was never checked either by the state police or the flying squads and went on to add that the ruling party had misused the state government machinery and in several constituencies.

Booth Level Officers have been asking the non-tribal and illiterate tribal voters to surrender their electoral photo identity cards and to support the party in power, he alleged.

"We have lodged a complaint in this regard with the Chief Electoral Officer, but so far no action has been taken," he said.
"When polling officials are indulging in such malpractices, how can the Commission ensure there will be no rigging during polling?" he wondered.