The repolling for 11 polling stations under the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency which was conducted following earlier incidents of poll violence, concluded peacefully and in an orderly manner on Monday.
Enhanced security measures were put in place to ensure the safety of voters and polling personnel.
Unlike Friday, voters turned up in large numbers from 7 am to ensure that miscreants do not steal their votes. The fresh polls commenced at 7 am and concluded at 5 pm as per the schedule, recording a total turnout of 81.6 per cent.
A total of 8,493 individuals, comprising 3,990 males, 4,497 females, and six transgender voters, were eligible to cast their votes in these 11 polling stations.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the fresh polls after declaring the previous polls conducted earlier on Friday at these 11 stations as void due to various incidents of poll violence, including gunfire and destruction of EVMs, VVPAT machines and others.
To ensure stringent security, two companies each of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) along with state forces led by an inspector were deployed at all the polling stations. Additional supervision was provided by high-ranking police officials.
Foreign populations were denied entry within 100 meters of the polling stations, except for candidates, a few of their associates, media persons, and security personnel. Party booth camps were also set up at locations 100 meters away from the polling stations to maintain decorum.
These 11 polling stations fall under five Assembly Constituencies and are spread across two districts, Imphal East and Imphal West.
The polling stations where the fresh polls were conducted include 3/11-Sajeb (A) and 3/21 Khurai Thongam Leikai under Khurai AC; 4/43-Bamon Kampu (North-A), 4/44-Bamon Kampu (North-B), 4/45-Bamon Kampu (South West), and 4/46-Bamon Kampu (South East) under Kshetrigao AC; 5/31-Khongman Zone-V(A) under Khongman AC; 10/1-Iroishemba, 10/6-Iroishemba Mamang Leikai, and 10/7-Iroishemba Mayai Leikai under Uripok AC; and 18/22-Khaidem Makha under Konthoujam AC.
Voters were encouraged to exercise their democratic rights and participate actively in the fresh polls to choose their representative for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.
The successful conduct of the re-polling has restored faith in the democratic process, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and respected, said voters as the Imphal Free Press took comments from them during the ending of the polling period.
