Re-polling began at 11 polling stations in the inner-Manipur Parliamentary constituency of the northeastern state on Monday. After incidents of violence reported from these polling stations in Manipur on April 19, the Election Commission has ordered the repolling.
In the conflict-ridden state of Manipur, instances of unrest, including gunfire and destruction of electronic voting machines (EVMs), were reported at several polling stations. Security measures have been heightened to prevent further violence following the disturbances recorded on April 19.
Following the conclusion of the initial phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Manipur announced the decision for re-polling at these 11 booths within the inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat. The re-voting is scheduled to take place on April 22, 2024, as directed by the Election Commission, which declared the previous polls held on April 19 as invalid.
The affected polling stations where re-polling will occur include Moirangkampu Sajeb Upper Primary School and S. Ibobi Primary School (East Wing) in the Khurai assembly constituency, four in Kshetrigao, one in Thongju, three in Uripok, and one in Konthoujam.
The incidents of violence on April 19 included gunfire and vandalism, resulting in injuries to civilians and clashes at a polling booth in Moirangkampu Sajeb Awang Leikai of Imphal, Manipur. According to Surbala Devi, the Block Level Officer for Moirangkampu, Sajeb, the violence erupted when two individuals approached the polling station, seeking representatives of the Congress and BJP parties. Subsequently, shots were fired from within a vehicle, leading to one person sustaining injuries.
In total, 32 assembly segments of the inner Manipur parliamentary constituency and 15 assembly segments of the outer Manipur (ST) parliamentary constituency participated in the Lok Sabha elections. The remaining 13 segments of Outer Manipur are scheduled for voting in the second phase on April 26.
The Lok Sabha elections are being conducted across India in seven phases, from April 19 to June 1, to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. Subsequent phases are set for May 7, 13, 20, 25, and June 1, with the vote counting scheduled for June 4.