Manipur: 81.6 pc voter turnout in repolling

 No incidents of disturbance or violence were reported at any of the polling stations, an election official said.

PTI, 23 April 2024, Imphal: A voter turnout of 81.6 per cent was recorded during repolling at 11 polling stations in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency on Monday, officials said.

No incidents of disturbance or violence were reported at any of the polling stations, an election official said.

A complaint, however, was received from the Congress claiming that an unidentified man had threatened a Congress agent over the phone to vacate the polling booth at Moirangkampu Sajeb, the official said.

The decision about fresh polling was taken following a directive from the Election Commission, which declared voting held at these stations on April 19 as null and void.

Incidents of firing, intimidation, destruction of EVMs at some polling stations and allegations of booth capturing were reported from conflict-hit Manipur, which recorded a turnout of 72 per cent in the two Lok Sabha constituencies - Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur - on Friday.

The repolling on Monday began at 7 am and concluded at 5 pm at all the polling stations amid tight security arrangements.

"Voters queued up since early morning to exercise their franchise at all the 11 polling stations, which were affected by a riot-like situation on Friday. No disturbance or violence has been reported so far on Monday," the election official said.

E Pao news stated that however, amid the report, the INC polling agent of polling station no 3/11 Moirang Kampu Sajeb Upper Primary School of Khurai AC, identified as one Ningthoujam Sitarani w/o Konsam Markoni alias Shamu, Khurai Thangjam Leikai was allegedly threatened by an unknown person.

The person phoned Markoni and warned him to call out his wife from inside the polling station.

In this regard, MPCC general secretary K Meghachandra filed a complaint to the returning officer and requested security for the polling agent.

He further accused the BJP of trying to openly "buy" the voters and engage in proxy voting.

The polling agent's husband, Konsam Markoni alias Shamu also filed a complaint at Porompat PS and requested for strict action against the person(s) involved.

E Pao news in its news stated that the 11 polling stations which went to re-poll on Monday are 3/11-Sajeb (A) Moirang Kampu Sajeb Upper Primary School and 3/21-Khurai Thongam Leikai S Ibobi Primary School (East Wing), of Khurai assembly segment; 4/43-Bamon Kampu (North A) Bamon Kampu Upper Primary School, 4/44-Bamon Kampu (North B) Pioneer Academy, 4/45-Bamon Kampu (South West) Irilbung High School (North Wing) and 4/46-Bamon Kampu (South East) Irilbung High School (South Wing) of Kshetrigao Assembly Segment; 5/31-Khongman Zone -V (A) National Children's School of Thongju Assembly Segment; 10/1-Iroisema Upper Primary School (Eastern Wing), 10/6 Iroisemba Mamang Leikai Iroisemba Upper Primary School (Western Wing) and 10/7 Iroisemba Mayai Leikai Iroisemba Upper Primary School (Middle Wing) of Uripok Assembly Segment; and 18/22-Khaidem Makha Leikai Khaidem Primary School (Southern Wing) of Konthoujam Assembly Segment.

To avoid any unwanted incidents, security forces were deployed extensively and polling camps of political parties and candidates were set up 200 metres away from the polling stations.

Meira Paibi members from different areas also joined in the efforts to safeguard the polling stations.

While voting began from 7 am onwards, voters turned up to their respective polling stations from early morning and queued up for their turn.

Voters were made to produce their identification papers as part of security measures.

Imphal East district election officer Kh Diana visited the seven polling stations in district while in Imphal West district, DEO Th Kirankumar visited the three polling stations in the district and the lone polling station of Konthoujam assembly segment with officials concerned.

The candidates and their election agents also visited alTthe polling stations.

With regard to the three polling stations (10/1, 10/6 and 10/7) of Uripok assembly segment, central and state forces took up strict security measures, allowing voters to cast their votes peacefully.

Caps and t-shirts were distributed to voters voting for the first time.

In polling station 10/1, a total of 963 voters (412 female, 343 male) cast their votes, recording a turnout percentage of 78.4 per cent; in polling station 10/6, a total of 518 voters (193 female, 257 male) cast their votes, recording a turnout percentage of 86.8 per cent; and in polling station 10/7, a total of 674 voters (242 female, 299 male) exercised their franchise rights, recording a turnout percentage of 80.2 per cent.

The first phase of elections for the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat and Outer Manipur LS seat in 47 assembly segments was held on April 19 with 72 per cent voting.

For the second phase, Manipur will go to the polls on April 26 in 13 assembly segments of eight districts located in the border areas of the state.

For the Outer seat, a total of four candidates - Indian National Congress, Naga People's Front, and two independents are in the fray.