Ukhrul, Kamjong record 81.90 pc turnout amid skirmishes
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, March 05 2022:
An overall voter turnout of 81.90 per cent was recorded till 7 pm in the second phase of Manipur Assembly elections held cross Ukhrul, Chingai and Phungyar assembly constituencies of Ukhrul and Kam jong districts on Saturday.
Sporadic incidents of skirmishes between political supporters, attempts of proxy voting and destruction of EVM machines have been reported on the poll day.
Of the three assembly constituencies, Chingai AC re corded a total turnout of 84.49 per cent, while Phungyar AC reported 83.82 per cent and Ukhrul AC 77.97 per cent.
Officials said that the exact and final turnout percentage will be known only after all the polling officers from remote places return to the district headquarters.
In some polling stations, polling reportedly contin ued till 7 pm.
Reports of scattered incidents of violence came in from different polling stations under 44-Ukhrul AC and 45-Chingai AC.
According to sources, tension erupted at Ukhrul Higher Secondary School (UHSS) polling station where supporters of two rival parties engaged in a heated confrontation.
Supporters of one party alleged proxy voting by the other party at the UHSS which is one of the model polling stations under 44-Ukhrul AC.
Later, polling agent of NPF candidate for Ukhrul AC Ram Muivah reportedly lodged a formal complaint to the district magistrate, demanding re poll at UHSS polling station.
The complaint alleged mass proxy voting and physical assault on NPF Star campaigner Wungreiwon Kashung and former NPF UADC member HA Vareshang by hundreds of suspected BJP supporters.
In another incident, a physical confrontation broke out between supporters of two rival political parties at Khampasom polling station under 44-Ukhrul AC.
Sources said the cause of the skirmish could not be known immediately.
However, as the two sides locked into fisticuffs, the security forces posted at the polling station had to disperse the crowd.
However, as per late report, confrontation between the rival parties continued and due to this, EVM machines could not be lifted out of the Khampasom polling station till the filing of this report.
At Sihai Khullen polling station under 44-Ukhrul AC, an EVM machine was reportedly damaged when contention broke out after supporters of one rival party attempted to capture the booth, sources said.
In a similar incident, polling was momentarily disrupted at Peh polling station under 45 Chingai AC after an EVM machine was partially damaged during a conflict that erupted between three rival parties.
However, the machine started working after sometime and polling resumed as normal, sources said.
A complaint was also lodged to Ukhrul SP office against unlawful act in connection with incidences at certain polling stations under Ukhrul AC on Friday.
The complaint lodged by an election agent of NPF, alleged unlawful acts committed by the INC and BJP supporters, including physical assault of a NPF party leader and snatching of voters slip list.
It said that NPF Unit President, Shanghai Phunghon Kaphungshang VS, was punched by Churchill Varu, PRO to INC candidate Alfred Kanngam Arthur.
Voters slips were also snatched away from Kamphasom Tang-44/45, Seipet Tang-44/43 and Rayotang-44/42, it said.
The complaint further stated that BJP workers thrashed Rayotang NPF Unit President before they forcibly snatched 'Voters Slip List' from him.
Altogether 12 candidates are in the fray for 43-Phungyar, 45-Chingai AC and 44-Ukhrul AC seats.
Phungyar AC has the highest number of candidates with five candidates, namely Victor Keishing (INC), Leishiyo Keishing (NPF), Hopingson A Shimray (BJP), Wungnaoshang Kasar (JD-U) and Ninghor Jajo (Shiv Sena).
Three candidates namely Alfred K Arthur (INC), Ram Muivah (NPF) and Somatai Shaiza (BJP) are contesting the Ukhrul seat.
For the Chingai seat, four candidates Khashim Vashum (NPF), Sword Vashum (INC), Preshow A Shimray (BJP) and Ningam Chamroy (NPP) are in the face-off.
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