GUWAHATI, Nov 22 - In the run-up to the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections scheduled for December 7 and 10, a number of organisations of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) including the All Bodo Students� Union (ABSU) have voiced serious concern over the feasibility of holding free and fair polls, alleging that �money power and intimidation� was being used to influence voters.
The Co-Ordination Committee of BTR Organizations � a conglomerate of 16 organisations representing various ethnic groups and student bodies � sought intervention of the Chief Minister to curb what they said were rampant electoral malpractices.
�Even during the COVID-19 situation, when the entire electioneering process was put on hold, various political parties were engaged in poll campaign and carried out illegal activities to twist the common people�s minds...,� the committee stated in a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister today.
Urging the government to ensure free and fair participation of the citizens during the BTC elections, the committee said that some political parties were resorting to violence and intimidation to influence voters and hamper peaceful holding of the polls.
�ABSU urges the State government to employ every effort for peaceful, free and fair BTC elections. Some political parties are trying to attract voters using cash-for-vote tactics and are distributing cash. It has gone unchecked by the electoral observers,� ABSU president Dipen Boro told The Assam Tribune.
Welcoming the decision to hold the polls in two phases to arrange better security and maintain the COVID-19 protocols, Boro said that the committee would also help the authorities in generating awareness for peaceful conduct of the BTC elections.
