Wangkhei Assembly Constituency tense over proxy voting bid
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 19 2024:
While the first phase of the 18th Lok Sabha election was underway on Friday, Polling Station no 15/18 and 15/19 at Minuthong Faizia High Madrasah in Hatta, Wangkhei AC descended into a brief chaos after some young men attempted to engage in proxy voting.
According to reports culled from the spot, around 11am Friday, while voters were casting their votes at the polling stations, 3-4 youth dressed in cargo pants and in possession of information slips tried to indulge in proxy voting.
The polling agents present advised the youth to show their identity cards, leading to a quarrel.
Shortly after, around 10 youths who came with the first group entered and tried to forcefully cast the votes.
The matter then became known to the voters waiting their turn who raised objection, forcing the youths to hurry away from the location.
As news of the attempted proxy voting spread to Hatta Golapati and nearby areas, and tension escalated, a police commando team led by Imphal East SP arrived and took the situation under control.
After a brief tension lasting 10-15 minutes, voting resumed under vigil of the security forces.
Meanwhile, a brief standoff ensued between security forces and a group of youths who came too close to the polling station at Wangkhei Junior High School, Wangkhei Puja Lampak on Friday.
The youth, who arrived in a Maruti Gypsy and unregistered Creta, were intercepted by a security team led by IGP Zone-1 and questioned, leading to a stand-off.
As the standoff reached to the point of possible physical altercation, the security forces took steps to confront the youth, subsequently compelling the youth to leave the location immediately.