Save for some hiccups at Ukhrul and Karong, polling by and large peaceful
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal/Ukhrul, April 26 2024: Except for three polling stations of Ukhrul Assembly Constituency and one polling station of Phungyar AC, polling for the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat held today in 13 Assembly segments was by and large peaceful.

As per a report shared by the Election Commission of India, the total voter turnout till 5 pm was 77.18 per cent.

Even though the voting period was from 7 am to 4 pm, voting went on past 4 pm at some polling stations.

Polling materials such as EVMs and VVPAT were damaged/destroyed at 44/36 Ukhrul A-Model High School, 44/50 Ukhrul F-KK Leisiphanit Junior High School, 44/41 Ukhrul D-1 Greenland Primary School and 43/19 Singkap polling station as confrontations broke out between Congress supporters and NPF supporters at these polling stations.

Save for some hiccups at Ukhrul and Karong, polling by and large peaceful

The first three polling stations belong to Ukhrul AC while the fourth one is located within Phungyar AC.

The four polling stations may go to repoll.

Polling began peacefully in the two Assembly Constituencies of 44-Ukhrul AC and 45-Chingai AC from 7 am.

Some isolated cases of technical problems (EVM) were reported in the initial hours of the voting but they were restored in time.

According to the ECI report, the poll percentage in Ukhrul AC was 68.70 .

Notably, Ukhrul AC where polling was marred by violence and disruptions is the home Assembly segment of both Congress candidate Alfred Kanngam Arthur and NPF's Kachui Timothy Zimik.

Mao AC and Karong AC where Independent candidate S Kho John is expected to receive large shares of votes recorded voter turnout rates of 89.84 per cent and 86.01 per cent respectively.

Of the 13 Assembly segments which went to polls, Mao AC recorded the highest polling percentage.

Chingai AC recorded 66.10 per cent voter turnout.

Tamenglong AC recorded 71 per cent voter turnout, Nungba AC 74 per cent, Tipaimukh AC 79 per cent and Tengnoupal AC 85.84 per cent, Senapati 87 pc.

A ruckus broke out between NPF and Congress supporters at Karong AC in Senapati dist.

Our Senapati correspondent reports that some EVMs were destroyed in Karong AC (Senapati) by unknown miscreants and there is a demand to conduct repoll at four polling stations in Oinam Hill of the district.

Polling in Mao and Tadubi ACs of the district was peaceful and the poll percentage in the district stands at 86 per cent.

Independent candidate S Kho John cast his vote at 48/51 polling station in Senapati district.

After exercising his franchise, Kho John stated that his dream is to foster peaceful coexistence among all ethnic communities living in the State.

Meanwhile, Nungba AC in Noney which has 29,348 voters witnessed a voter turnout of 74 per cent.

The polling in the district ended peacefully at the scheduled time (4 pm) and the EVMs from all the polling stations in the district have been taken to Tamenglong under tight security for counting.

No cases of violence have been reported from Noney.

The unofficial poll percentage in Jiribam stands at 62 per cent and no cases of poll violence or malpractices were reported from the district.

It is said that the voting in the district started late due to bad weather conditions and people cast their votes till 9 pm.

Jiribam has 41 polling stations and 30,809 voters.