New elections will be conducted on Monday (April 22) for 11 polling stations in the I-Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency, following phase 1 polling in the Lok Sabha elections.
The Chief Election Officer of Manipur issued a notice stating that the voting held on Friday at these 11 polling stations has been declared invalid.
During the initial phase of voting on April 19, incidents of coercion and gunfire were documented in at least two locations within the Inner Manipur constituency.
In Thamnapokpi, located in the Moirang constituency of Bishnupur district, armed individuals discharged several rounds near a polling station, causing voters to scatter. Police responded by deploying additional security personnel to address the situation.
Unidentified armed individuals harassed election representatives of a specific political party at various locations, compelling them to vacate the polling sites.
A civilian sustained injuries during the gunfire and clashes that erupted at a polling booth in Moirangkampu Sajeb Awang Leikai of Imphal.
Subsequently, law enforcement authorities apprehended three individuals in connection with the shooting incident at a primary school in Imphal, Manipur.
In a statement on X, Manipur police announced the arrest of Leichombam Jemson Singh (34 yrs), Nongthombam Ratan (47 yrs), and Khumukcham Angamba (32 yrs) on April 19, 2024. The police recovered a .32 pistol with eight live rounds, three mobile phones, a car, and Rs. 1.5 Lakhs in cash from their possession.
Manipur Congress president K Meghachandra lodged a complaint with the Manipur Chief Electoral Officer on Friday, urging for a re-poll in 36 polling stations in the Inner Manipur constituency and 11 in the Outer Manipur constituency