LS polls: Repolling ordered for Inner Manipur seat, fresh voting on Monday

Imphal: After violent incidents during Friday's Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered on Saturday to hold repolling in 11 booths in the Inner Manipur seat.

According to an order from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Manipur, new voting will take place on Monday at 11 booths from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The ECI has directed that the poll taken taken on 19th April, 2024, in respect of 11 polling stations of Inner Manipur Constituency to be void, and appointed 22nd April, 2024, for taking fresh poll at the said stations,” the order read, the New Indian Express reported.

The voting will be held for the following booths: Sajeb (A), Khurai Thongam Leikai, Bamon Kampu (North-A), Bamon Kampu (North-B), Bamon Kampu (South West), Bamon Kampu (South East), Khongman Zone-V (A), Irioshemba, Iroishemba Mamang Leikai, Iroishemba Mayai Lekai, and Khaidem Makha.

The Congress party has called for a repoll in 47 polling stations in Manipur, claiming that two Lok Sabha seats in the northeastern state had been manipulated and that booths had been captured.

The conflict-torn state of Manipur saw reports of shooting incidents, intimidation, the destruction of EVMs at several voting booths, and accusations of booth capturing on Friday. The two Lok Sabha constituencies, Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur, saw turnout of over 68% of voters.

Since May 3 of last year, Manipur has seen intermittent, occasionally violent ethnic confrontations between the Kukis and the mostly Meitei community that have claimed over 200 lives.

The Kukis have relocated to the hills, whereas the Meiteis are now mostly concentrated in Imphal city.

The Election Commission identified that almost 24,000 displaced individuals residing in the relief camps qualified to vote, and 94 special polling places were established just for them.

For individuals who departed the northeastern state following the violence, no voting arrangements were arranged.