Manipur Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Repolling Scheduled For Six Polling Stations On April 30

The polling conducted on April 26th, 2024, in six specific polling stations within the Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary Constituency has been declared as void by the Election Commission of India.

A re-poll has been mandated by the Commission under Sections 58(2) and 58A(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, scheduled for April 30, 2024, as reported by India Today NE.

Photo Credit: PTI

Repolling Scheduled For Six Polling Stations On April 30

The affected polling stations, as listed below, have been identified for the re-poll:

- 44-Ukhrul (ST) 44/20-Shangshak A
- 44/36-Ukhrul (A)
- 44/41-Ukhrul (D-1)
- 44/50-Ukhrul (F)
- 45-Chingai (ST) 45/14-Chingai
- 47-Karong (ST) 47/33-Oinam (A1)

All eligible voters within these polling stations are urged to actively participate in the re-polling process by the Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur, Pradeep Kumar Jha. The voting hours are scheduled from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the designated date.

In a formal letter dated April 26, 2024, addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur, alarming incidents of electoral malpractices, including EVM machine destruction, booth capture, poll rigging, and forced voting allegedly carried out by unidentified armed individuals, were outlined by the MPCC, as reported by India Today NE.

These incidents occurred during the polling on April 26, 2024, for the 18th Lok Sabha Election-2024 within the 43-Phungyar (ST) Assembly Constituency and the 44-Ukhrul (ST) Assembly Constituency, both situated within the II-Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.

Severe disruptions were reported at several polling stations within the constituencies, such as the destruction of EVM machines at polling station No. 43/19 - Shingkap, Shingkap Govt. High School, and booth capture and rigging at polling station No. 43/46 - Nambashi Khullen, Nambashi Kullen Govt.

High School, among others. In these instances, polling agents of the Indian National Congress (INC) candidate, Shri Alfred Kanngam S. Arthur, were reportedly prevented from carrying out their duties. Similar disturbances were reported in the 44-Ukhrul (ST) Assembly Constituency, where EVM machines were reportedly destroyed in three polling stations, namely 44/36 - Ukhrul (A), Ukhrul Model High School (N/W), 44/41 - Ukhrul (D-1), Greenland Primary School, and 44/50 - Ukhrul (F), K.K. Leishiphanit Junior High School.

Moreover, it was claimed by the MPCC that in seventeen polling stations within the 44-Ukhrul (ST) Assembly Constituency, incidents of booth capture, poll rigging, and forced voting were witnessed. These polling stations include Leisan Govt. High School, Sanakeithel Govt. High School, Tushen Govt. High School, and various other locations.