Tarigami alleges rigging, moves EC

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Last updated on: May 05, 2004 16:46 IST

Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami, Communist Party of India-Marxist state secretary and Anantnag parliamentary constituency candidate, filed a complaint with the Election Commission alleging that the ruling People's Democratic Party committed mass rigging on May 5.

In a letter to the commission, Tarigami said the PDP used 'bogus mobile voters' at several places in the constituency and demanded a repoll.

He alleged his polling agents were pulled out of several booths.

"My agents are being pulled out on the pretext that the candidate's seal is not affixed on the authorisation letter, whereas only the signature of the candidate is needed on the letter," he said.

"In one case," he claimed, "eight persons forcibly entered a polling booth in Kanji Gund in Homshalibugh assembly segment to commit rigging."

It was surprising that PDP strongholds were generally peaceful while there was trouble in opposition strongholds and it seems the ruling party is working on a plan to ensure low voter turnout in the opposition bastions, he alleged.

Tarigami is pitted against PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference candidate Mehboob Baig in the south Kashmir constituency.

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