EC directs repolling at 11 stations in Manipur after incidents of violence, EVM destruction

-, Apr 21, 2024, India Blooms News Service

Imphal/IBNS: The Election Commission of India has directed repolling 11 polling stations in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency on April 22.

The decision follows after the Election Commission declared the polls held at these stations on April 19 as null and void. It then scheduled fresh polling.

The affected polling stations are Moirangkampu Sajeb and Thongam Leikai in the Khurai constituency, four in Kshetrigao and one in Thongju in Imphal East district and three in Uripok and one in Konthoujam in Imphal West district, the official said.

Polling in these stations was marred by mob violence and other untoward incidents in these polling stations on Friday.

The ECI has declared the polling held under the affected polling stations on Friday as void under Sections 58(2) and 58 (A) 2 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Earlier, the office of the chief electoral officer (CEO) in Manipur had recommended to the poll body to hold fresh elections in a few polling stations under the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency.

The CEOs office had late Friday forwarded a report to ECI secretary Madhusudan Gupta received from the returning officer of the constituency Th. Kirankumar.

Incidents of firing, intimidation, destruction of EVMs at some polling booths, and allegations of booth capturing were reported from conflict-hit Manipur.

On Friday, Manipur recorded a turnout of 72 percent in the two Lok Sabha constituencies - Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur.