CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on May 8, 2019

THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its deep sense of disappointment over the Election Commission of India’s order to hold the elections void in 168 booths for the Tripura West parliamentary constituency and hold re-poll in these booths. There had been widespread rigging and prevention of voters exercising their franchise by the ruling BJP during polls held on April 11.

We firmly hold that this order is not in consonance with the ground reality and obviously too little and too late in ensuring a free and fair poll where more than half the electorate was actually unable to exercise their right to vote.

This order has come after almost a one month long exercise by considering only partially the innumerable complaints by political parties and individuals about large-scale rigging and illegality. Hence, this order will signal, on the one hand, acknowledgement of rigging on a major scale and yet falling short of the expectations that the ECI will deliver justice for the voters of the constituency who could not cast their votes.

Nothing short of a re-poll for the entire Tripura West parliamentary constituency will serve the purpose of a free and fair poll and protecting the rights of the voters.