• Source:JND
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Manipur Repoll:The chief electoral officer announced on Saturday that there will be repolling at 11 polling stations in the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency on April 22. The decision follows a directive from the poll body to declare the election held at these stations on April 19 as null and void and schedule fresh polling.

“The ECI has directed that the poll taken taken on 19th April, 2024, in respect of 11 polling stations of Inner Manipur Constituency to be void, and appointed 22nd April, 2024, for taking fresh poll at the said stations,” the order read.

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According to the news agency PTI, quoting officials, the affected polling stations include Moirangkampu Sajeb and Thongam Leikai in Khurai constituency, four in Kshetrigao and one in Thongju in Imphal East district and three in Uripok and one in Konthoujam in Imphal West district. Several incidents of firing, intimidation, destruction of EVMs at some polling booths, and allegations of booth capturing were reported from conflict-hit Manipur. The state recorded a turnout of 72 per cent in the two Lok Sabha constituencies—Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur—on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Congress had demanded repolling at 47 stations, alleging that booths were captured and elections were rigged. Manipur Congress president K Meghachandra said the party had lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer demanding repoll in 36 polling stations in the Inner Manipur constituency and 11 in the Outer Manipur constituency. 

Speaking to reporters on Friday night, K Meghachandra said, "Unidentified armed miscreants have been threatening Congress candidate Angomcha Bimol Akoijam and party election agents for some days."

"We have lodged a complaint with the CEO Manipur for repoll in 36 polling stations in Inner Manipur and 11 polling stations in Outer Manipur," he said.

The Manipur police has arrested three persons who were involved in the firing incident in Imphal. The three arrested persons were involved in the firing incident at Moirangkampu Sajeb in Imphal East district in which a man was injured on Friday, reports news agency PTI quoting an officer.

The three had fled from the spot in a four wheeler after the firing incident and were arrested on Friday evening, less than 5 km away from the incident site. One .32 pistol with ammunition and Rs 1.5 lakh in cash were seized from their possession.

(With input from agencies)