GUWAHATI, April 10 � The Election Commission (EC) has not been able to prevent distribution of money by the Congress to woo the voters, particularly in the rural areas of the State, alleged the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).
Senior AGP leader and former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta alleged that some officers of the administration did not follow the instructions of the EC regarding distribution of money by candidates. There have been instances when officers reach the spot hours after complaints are lodged, giving those involved in distribution of money enough time to escape from the scene, he said.
Mahanta alleged that Congress hatched a conspiracy along with some sectoral officers and presiding officers to cast bogus votes against the genuine voters who do not come for casting their votes. He said that they have already lodged a complaint before the Election Commission in this regard.
The former Chief Minister alleged that in some places the administration played a partisan role even in granting permission to hold meetings. Giving one such example, he revealed that in one particular day, the AGP first applied for holding a rally in Samaguri constituency and the party was allotted a field only for two hours, that is from 10 an to 12 noon. But on the same day, the Congress was allotted the field from 3 pm from an unlimited time, he added.
Mahanta alleged that even persons against whom non-bailable warrants were issued, have been allowed to roam around freely.