Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has been cleared by the Election Commission of charges of violating the model code of conduct a little over a week after a local media showed him handing over currency notes to a family in Thoubal. The verdict, based on the response of the Chief Minister to the showcause notice, was announced today by State Chief Electoral Officer RR Rashmi at a press meet.In response to the showcause notice, Ibobi had said that his campaign in Thoubal on January 24 included visits to places of worship as well as dealing with various invitations to ceremonial lunches in the area. One such invitation had come from the family in the picture and since he was unable to attend the lunch, he had given money as a token to the family, a tradition here. Rashmi said the reply had been duly endorsed by the District Election Officer of Thoubal and had been accepted by the ECI. Earlier, many political parties, including the BJP, had submitted their objections over the photo published in The Sangai Express. Meanwhile, the CEO also announced that two polling stations at Laijang and Holinjang in Chandel district have been demarcated for the villagers of Khengjoi block in Chakpikarong subdivision, who have been displaced due to recent army operations in the area. “Those who are taking refuge in the Moreh area can cast their votes at Laijing, while those displaced to Joupi can vote at Holinjang. The Chandel DC has also been requested to provide transport,” he added.Nominations filed for third phaseIMPHAL: Twenty-one nominations were filed on Friday for the third phase of Assembly elections slated for February 23 in the tribal hill districts of Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Chandel, bringing the total number of nominations for the third phase to 72, CEO RR Rashmi said. JP Prakash, Deputy Election Commissioner, is scheduled to visit the state on Saturday to review poll preparations.
