1. The Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur seeks fresh voting in six polling stations due to violence.
2. Ramananda Nongmeikapam, Joint Chief Electoral Officer, urges a redo of polls in Inner Manipur.
3. Urgency conveyed to Election Commission of India amid disruptions in Lok Sabha Elections.
Imphal, April 20: In the aftermath of the tumultuous Lok Sabha Elections in Manipur, the Chief Electoral Officer has called for fresh voting in six polling stations, citing widespread violence and disruptions.
Ramananda Nongmeikapam, the Joint Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur, has formally requested a redo of the polls in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, conveying the urgency of the situation to the Election Commission of India.
The decision follows a chaotic election day on April 19, marked by reports of violence and disturbances across several polling stations. The Returning Officer for the 1-Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency outlined the tumultuous events in a message to the Chief Electoral Officer, highlighting the grave circumstances that marred the electoral process.
Incidents of mob violence destroyed Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Control Units (CUs), Ballot Units (BUs), and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines in several polling stations, including Moirangkampu Sajeb Upper Primary School (3/11), Khongman Zone (5/31), and Iroisemba Upper Primary School.
Also Read: Kolkata Braces for 40-Degree Celsius Heatwave: India Meteorological Department
The situation escalated further at Khaidem Makha (18/22) when unidentified individuals forcibly cast approximately 61 votes, triggering widespread violence and disorder. Despite efforts by security forces to contain the situation, the polling process was disrupted indefinitely.
In response to these alarming developments, the matter has been reported under sub-section (1) of section 58 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The Election Commission of India has been urged to provide further directions per sub-section (2) of the aforementioned section, as authorities work to restore order and integrity to the electoral process.
