Probe into UNC diktat ordered

Imphal, Feb 3: Chief Electoral officer(CEO) R R Rashmi today said a thorough probe has been ordered to enquire the case of the United Naga Council (UNC) asking Naga candidates not to contest in the coming Manipur Legislative Assembly elections.

The UNC had announced that it will support only one Independent candidate and the rest should not participate in election related activities.

The CEO said the Election Commission has also informed that the case of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh giving money to a man at Thoubal constituency which appeared in a local newspaper has been disposed off. He said the CM had given a statement on the issue and the election officials had conducted a spot verification of the report and found that the statement to be correct.

The CM had stated that the money which he gave was not related to elections but for a social function and it was a Manipuri tradition to extend financial assistance when any social or religious function was held in a family.

The matter now stands closed, the CEO added.

Meanwhile, for the third phase of elections about 72 candidates have filed their papers so far. The third phase of elections will be held on February 23 in 12 Assembly segments of Churachandpur, Chandel and Tamenglong district.

Two polling stations at Laijang and Holenjang at Chandel district will be opened to enable villagers affected by conflict between militants and troops at the district, the CEO said.

UNI