Following incidents of gunfire, intimidation, and destruction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the recent polling in Manipur, repolling has been announced at 11 polling stations in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency. The Manipur chief electoral officer made this announcement on Saturday after a directive from the Election Commission declared the previous polls held at these stations null and void, scheduling fresh polling for April 22.
The affected polling stations include Moirangkampu Sajeb and Thongam Leikai in the Khurai constituency, four in Kshetrigao, one in Thongju in Imphal East district, three in Uripok, and one in Konthoujam in Imphal West district.
Incidents of firing, intimidation, and destruction of EVMs were reported from several polling booths in conflict-hit Manipur, which recorded a 72 percent voter turnout in the Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituencies during the recent polling.
The Congress party had earlier demanded repolling in 47 polling stations, alleging booth capturing and election rigging. Manipur Congress president K Meghachandra stated that the party lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, specifically requesting repolling in 36 polling stations in the Inner Manipur constituency and 11 in the Outer Manipur constituency.
These developments underscore the challenges faced in maintaining election integrity and ensuring a fair electoral process in conflict-prone regions like Manipur. The decision to conduct repolling reflects efforts to address concerns raised by political parties and uphold the democratic principles of free and fair elections.
Sources By Agencies
