Repolling commenced at six polling stations within the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat amidst stringent security arrangements, with election officials reporting a voter turnout of 16.68 per cent by 9 am. The decision for repolling stemmed from instances of EVM and VVPAT damage, alongside malfunctioning recorded during the previous polling held on April 26.
Thus far, no adverse incidents have been reported, with voting underway since 7 am under the vigilant watch of security personnel.
The necessity for repolling arose following the vandalization of EVMs and VVPATs at four out of the six designated polling stations during the earlier voting process. Furthermore, EVM malfunctioning occurred at one polling station, while threats and intimidation tactics by unidentified perpetrators disrupted voting at another.
A notification issued by Manipur’s chief electoral officer nullified the voting conducted at four polling stations in the Ukhrul assembly segment, along with one each in the Chingai assembly seat in Ukhrul and Karong in Senapati.
Among the six polling stations, five are situated in the Ukhrul district, catering to a collective electorate of 4,156 voters.
During the initial polling on April 26, approximately 76.06 per cent of the 4.84 lakh voters cast their ballots across 13 of the 28 assembly segments in the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency. The remaining 15 segments, along with the entire Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat, underwent polling during the first phase on April 19.