The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered repoll in six polling stations of three Assembly segments in 2-Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.
The development came a day after the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) wrote to the Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur urging for repolling in 19 polling stations in several constituencies following allegations of election irregularities during the second phase of the Lok Sabha Election in Outer Manipur.
A release issued by Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur, Pradeep Kumar Jha on Saturday stated that the ECI, under Sections 58(2) and 58A (2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, has directed that the poll taken on Friday in the six polling stations of 2-Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary Constituency to be void, adding that re-polls will be held on Tuesday from 7 am to 4 pm.
It also listed the Assembly segments and name of the polling stations mentioning that for 44-Ukhrul (ST), the polling stations are 44/20-Shangshak A, 44/36-Ukhrul (A), 44/41-Ukhrul (D-1) and 44/50-Ukhrul (F) respectively, while polling stations for 45-Chingai (ST) is 45/14-Chingai and that of 47-Karong (ST) is 47/33-Oinam (A1). The release also appealed to all the voters of the said polling stations to come out in large numbers and exercise their franchise.
Returning Officer of Outer Manipur and DC Thoubal A Subash Singh on Saturday conducted scrutiny of the complaints and demands for repoll in his office chamber at Thoubal DC office in the presence of candidates and their election agents, after which the proposal for conduct of repoll was sent to ECI.
Mention may be made here that MPCC in a letter addressed to the CEO, Manipur, cited incidents of EVM machine destruction, booth capturing, rigging of polls, and forceful casting of votes allegedly orchestrated by unknown armed miscreants at polling stations including those within 44 Ukhrul (ST) AC and 43-Phungyar (ST) AC, both falling under the 2-Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.
It had mentioned that three polling stations in 44-Ukhrul (ST) AC witnessed EVM machine destruction, while a staggering 14 polling stations reported incidents of booth capturing, rigging, and forceful voting. As per the letter, one polling station in 43-Phungyar (ST) AC also reported EVM machine destruction, while another witnessed booth capturing, rigging, and forceful voting, as per the letter.
MPCC, in its letter, also highlighted the alleged failure of polling officials and security personnel to intervene against the alleged irregularities. It had urged the CEO, Manipur to take necessary immediate actions to ensure fair and just elections by conducting repolling in the affected areas.
