A complaint has been filed by the Congress yesterday with the District Election Officer of West Garo Hills against the CEM of the GHADC, Benedict Marak, after he allegedly threatened voters to cast votes for the National People’s Party (NPP) or face dire consequences.
The speech being referred to apparently took place on Monday when, during an election rally for the Rajabala by-election, Marak threatened to act against those voters who do not vote for the NPP. The rally took place in the village of Belbari Tilapara.
When the local Congress team learnt of the speech, it immediately flagged this and forwarded it to the DEO, Ram Singh, who is also the Deputy Commissioner of the district.
“We have informed the Returning Officer, District Election Officer-cum-DC and the central observer. This type of threat is in direct violation of the model code of conduct, against the democratic principles and also the law,” said local leader, Dr Mizanur Rehman Kazi.
Kazi is supporting the Congress candidate, Hasina Yasmin Mondal, in her bid to retain the Rajabala seat, which her late husband Azad Zaman held, for the Congress.
The party has asked the authorities to take cognizance of the speech and initiate appropriate action against the CEM.
Meanwhile, Singh said that the complaint is being studied and has been sent to the RO for necessary action.
