Manipur second phase polling: Congress demands re-poll in 19 polling stations

IMPHAL — The second phase polling for the Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency was largely peaceful though there were reports of EVMs being damaged at few polling booths.

Spread across eight districts — Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Jiribam, Pherzawl and Tengnoupal – the Outer Manipur constituency is reserved for the Scheduled Tribe.

“The day’s polling was peaceful,” said a senior official of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)’s office in Imphal, adding that the voter turnout till 5 pm was 76.06 per cent.

Meanwhile, incidents of EVM destruction were reported from 44/36 Ukhrul Model High School, 44/41 Greenland Primary School and 44/50 KK Leishi Phanit Junior School in Ukhrul district.

Four candidates — Alfred Kanngam Arthur (INC), Kachui Timothy Zimik (NPF), and Independent candidates S Kho John and Alyson Abonmai – are in the fray for the Outer Manipur parliamentary seat.

Congress alleges booth capturing, EVM damage

Meanwhile, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has urged the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Manipur to take up necessary action by announcing re-poll at 19 polling stations — Ukhrul (17) and Phungyar (2).

In a letter to the CEO, MPCC General Secretary S Jeeten Singh alleged that the EVM at polling station 43/19-Shingkap Government High School of Phungyar assembly constituency was destroyed by unknown armed miscreants.

The polling station 43/46 Nambashi Khullen government high school of Phungyar assembly constituency was allegedly captured and force voted by unknown armed miscreants, claimed the letter, adding that the polling officials and security personnel at the venue did not take any action.

In another letter to the CEO, Singh alleged that the EVMs were destroyed by unknown armed miscreants in three polling stations at 44/36 Ukhrul Model High School, 44/41 Greenland Primary School and 44/50 KK Leishi Phanit Junior School in Ukhrul assembly constituency.

It also alleged booth capturing at 14 others polling stations namely Leisan, Sanakeithel, Tushen, Tushen Chahong, Hundung Dungrei, Hamleikhong Hundung, Hundung Kaziphung, Hundung (C-2) and Ukhrul.