The fresh polls for 11 polling stations under the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency commenced on Monday in a peaceful and orderly manner, with enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of voters and polling personnel.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) had announced the fresh polls after declaring the polls conducted on April 19, 2024, in these 11 polling stations as void due to irregularities.
The fresh polls began at 7 am and are scheduled to continue till 5 pm.
A total of 8,493 individuals, comprising 3,990 males, 4,497 females, and six transgender voters, are eligible to cast their votes in these 11 polling stations.
These polling stations fall under five Assembly Constituencies and are spread across two districts, Imphal East and Imphal West.
Speaking to the media, SP Imphal West Ksh Shivakanta said that the polling is going on peacefully.
“In all the polling stations, we have deployed central paramilitary forces of 2/2 companies each. Apart from that, a large number of state police have been deployed. Every polling station is assigned to one gazetted officer and one inspector is there under him. We are also deploying 10 unarmed polling personnel in every polling station. Besides, there are CRPF, MPV and many other senior officers supervising security arrangements,” he said.
He exuded confidence that the repoll would be peaceful, while urging everyone to come out and exercise their right to vote.
The polling stations where the fresh polls are being 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.
The authorities have ensured stringent security measures to maintain peace and order during the polling process.
The voters are encouraged to exercise their democratic right and participate actively in the fresh polls to choose their representative for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.
There is no report of any unwanted incident taking place during the polls, till the filing of this report.
The first phase of polling conducted earlier on Friday across various places in the valley area for the 18th Lok Sabha Election, 2024 in the 1-Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency was marred by mass booth capturing, destroying and burning of EVM and VVPAT machines.
The direction for a repoll was issued on Saturday under Sections 58(2) and 58A(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 by chief electoral officer, Manipur Pradeep Kumar Jha. ECI had appealed to all voters of the said polling stations to come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise.
