Violence-marred poll in Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency to witness fresh poll in 11 polling stations on April 22

The Election Commission of India has, under Sections 58(2) and 58A(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, directed that the poll taken on 19th April, 2024 (Friday) in respect of 11 polling stations in 1-Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency to be void and appointed 22nd April, 2024 (Monday) as the date for taking fresh poll at the said polling stations with hours of poll from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The polling stations slated for re-poll included 3/11-Sajeb (A) and 3/21-Khurai Thongam Leikai under Khurai Assembly Constituency; 4/43-Bamon Kampu (North-A), 4/44-Bamon Kampu (North-B), 4/45-Bamon Kampu (South West) and 4/46-Bamon Kampu (South East) under Kshetrigao Assembly segment; 5/31-Khongman Zone-V(A) under Thongju Assembly segment; 10/1-Iroishemba, 10/6-Iroishemba Mamang Leikai and 10/7-Iroishemba Mayai Leikai under Uripok Assembly Constituency; 18/22-Khaidem Makha polling station under Konthoujam Assembly segment.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Pradeep Kumar Jha, has appealed all voters of the polling stations to come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise.

With poll rigging, violence, vandalism of Electronic Voting Machines reported in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, the Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur, had earlier recommended the necessity for holding fresh polls in several polling stations in Manipur.

The recommendation comes amidst the complaint filed by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee demanding fresh polls in 36 polling stations in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary seat.

It is worth mentioning that the  Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee on April 19 had written to the CEO Manipur for re-polls in 36 polling stations under 11 assembly segments.

As per the letter, the polling stations which fall under 11 assembly constituencies included Heingang AC, Khurai AC, Kshetrigao AC, Thongju AC, Keirao AC, Andro AC, Yaiskul AC, Sekmai AC, Konthoujam AC, Oinam AC,  Moirang AC and Sugnu AC.

The General Secretary (Admin), MPCC in its letter to CEO Manipur stated that the said polling booths were found to be captured by armed miscreants and most of the polling booths were rigged, proxy votings, forced voting and disruption by irate mob as a result of irregularities.

In respect to Khurai AC, the MPCC stated that one person was injured in a gun fire by armed miscreants. Many voters were also threatened in the polling station No. 3/11 of 3-Khurai A/C.

In polling station 5/32 of 5-Thongju A/C, the voters of the INC Candidate were thrashed out by the rival group. Some armed miscreants also carried out proxy voting and polling agents of INC Candidate were threatened and expelled out from the polling stations No.6/29 of 6-Keirao A/C and No. 7/38 of 7-Andro A/C.

In another incident, it was also reported that there was a mismatch of the numbers of votes cast in EVM and VVPAT in the polling station No. 14/18 of 14-Yaiskul A/C. In this regard, the Congress Booth Agent of the said polling station has lodged a complaint to the Presiding Officer for re-poll.

Meanwhile, in polling station No. 18/22 of 18-Konthoujam A/C, the voters were denied to exercise casting of their votes and almost all the votes were casted by armed miscreants.

In polling station Nos. 25/1 and 25/2 of 25-Oinam A/C, the voters were allegedly forced to vote against their will by armed miscreants.