Inner PC records 80.4 percent turn out in 2nd phase poll
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 18 2019: Polling for the 17th Lok Sabha election in Inner Manipur PC concluded without much untoward incidents today and the total poll percentage is pegged at 80.4.However, EVMs of two polling stations of Keirao AC have been damaged and as such, the two polling stations are most likely to go for repoll.

Meanwhile, CPI candidate in Inner Manipur PC Dr M Nara has demanded repoll in six polling stations of Andro AC on the ground that polling was rigged at the particular polling stations at the behest of MAHUD Minister Th Shyamkumar.

Speaking to media persons at a polling booth at Thoubal Mela Ground this afternoon, Dr Nara said that Th Shyamkumar and his wife rigged the vote at six polling stations of Andro AC namely 7/39 Nongbrang, 7/40 Keithelmanbi, 7/41 Moirangpurel (A), 7/42 Tumukhong, 7/43 Moirangpurel (B) and 7/44 Itham.

Inner PC records 80.4 percent turn out in 2nd phase poll

Dr Nara said that he came across Th Shyamkumar and his supporters rigging the poll with groups of women forming defensive walls around the polling stations.

Dr Nara has also lodged a complaint to the CEO and the RO to order re-poll at the six particular polling stations with adequate security arrangement.

Nonetheless, he exuded confidence that he would win the Inner Lok Sabha seat this time.

"Except for Andro AC, I saw unprecedented support of voters at all other places", he claimed.

On the other hand, 11 polling stations of Outer Manipur PC which witnessed different modes of electoral malpractices went to repoll today and the repoll passed off peacefully.

Inner Manipur PC comprises of 32 Assembly segments and polling began at 7 am across the 1300 polling stations.

Sources informed that some people damaged EVMs of 6/10 Kyamgei Muslim (South) (A) and 6/20 Urup Muslim polling stations.

Till 7 pm, the total poll percentage recorded was 80.47 but this figure does not include the poll percentages of 70 polling stations where polling has not been completed.

Notably, the total poll percentage recorded in the 2014 Lok Sabha election was 84.80 per cent.

Talking to The Sangai Express, CEO PK Singh said that they received a complaint from Dr M Nara demanding repoll at the six particular polling stations of Andro AC.

However, it is too early to say whether repoll would be held or not, said the CEO.

Scrutiny of today's polling process would be done at 11 am tomorrow at the office of the RO at Imphal West DC office complex.

A concrete decision on whether repoll would be held at the particular polling stations or not would be adopted after the scrutiny, he said.

As for the 6/10 Kyamgei Muslim (South) (A) and 6/ 20 Urup Muslim polling stations, due process for repoll may be taken up on April 11, said the CEO and added that today's poll was by and large peaceful and quite successful.

He also condoled the demise of a woman voter while standing in a queue at a polling station at Wangkhem.

Altogether 11 candidates are contesting in Inner Manipur PC.

They are INC's Oinam Nabakishore, CPI's Dr Moirangthem Nara, BJP's Dr RK Ranjan, NEIDP's RK Anand, MPP's Oinam Jugindro, MPDF's Dr G Tonsana, RJSP Senjam Nandeshore, independent candidates Md Illiyas Khan, M Totomsana Nongshaba, RK Somendro (Kaiku) and Wahengbam Pabitra.

Out of the total 1300 polling stations, polling process at 559 polling stations were webcast live.