Repoll announced in 7 polling stations in Manipur; suspension of operation with UPF, KNO extended

Our Correspondent
Imphal, March 7 (EMN): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a repoll in seven polling stations under five constituencies in three districts that went to polls in the second phase of Manipur assembly elections on March 5.

The ECI has scheduled the repoll on Tuesday, March 8.

The seven polling stations going for a repoll are Wangjing Hodamba in Wangjing Tentha constituency, Ukhrul (E-2) in Ukhrul constituency, Kalhang and Peh (B) in Chingai constituency, Ngamju in Karong constituency, Yangkhullen (A) and Mao Marafii in Tadubi constituency.

Stating that one of the main reasons for the repoll was damage of EVMs by miscreants during and after the poll, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Manipur, Rajesh Agrawal said in a press release that ‘these kind of incidents lead to major discomfort to the electors of the polling station as their right to franchise gets infringed on the poll day and they will now need to come out again to exercise their rightful franchise on the day of repoll’.

All electors of these polling stations are requested to come out in big numbers to exercise their franchise, he appealed.

It may be mentioned that Congress candidates in Wangkhem, Wangjing Tentha and Tengnoupal assembly constituencies had demanded repoll at their respective constituencies.

The Bharatiya Janata Party Manipur had also urged the CEO Manipur for ordering re-poll in Wangjing Tentha seat alleging that there was extensive proxy voting in some polling booths.

The CEO had earlier informed that 12 incidents of damage to EVMs were reported in the second phase of election. In poll-related incident, one person was shot dead and another injured by security forces deployed at Ngamju polling station under Karong assembly constituency in Senapati district.

The counting of votes will be held on March 10.

SoO period extended

Meanwhile, suspension of operation (SoO) between rebel groups United People’s Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the Government of India and Government of Manipur has been extended from March 7 till February 2023.

The SoO agreement was signed by Aron Kipgen, Ketheos Zomi and Joshua Thadou of the UPF; Dr Seilen Haokip Dino Zou of the KNO; Additional Director General of Police (Int.) Ashutosh Kumar Sinha, Government of Manipur; and Additional Secretary (NE) Ministry of Home Affairs, Piyush Goyal.

Ground rules will remain unchanged, it was informed.

It may be mentioned that the KNO and UPF signed the agreement for SoO with the governments of India and Manipur in August 2008.