New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on Saturday declared the polls conducted on Friday at six polling stations in the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency as void under Sections 58(2) and 58A(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Consequently, April 30, 2024, has been appointed as the date for conducting a fresh poll at these stations. The Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur announced that the fresh poll will take place from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, ensuring the electoral process proceeds smoothly and fairly in compliance with legal provisions.
BJP Has Tried To Unify Everyone: Manipur CM
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that the situation vastly improved in the strife-torn state saying how the people were appealed to participate in the Lok Sabha Elections elections.
"Following the May 3 violence (last year) in Manipur, it was being said that the polling in Manipur should be postponed as the situation was not right. However, with God's blessings and PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah's help, the situation vastly improved in Manipur. Following the improvement in the situation, people were excited, and we appealed to the people to participate in the elections," he told news agency PTI.
On the opposition attacking the BJP over violence in the state, CM N Biren Singh said, "Manipur was a princely kingdom, and the British ruled here using the divide and rule policy. This (May 3 violence last year) was the result of this. Similarly, the Congress followed the same strategy. However, the BJP has tried to unify everyone".
In the restive state of Manipur, where polling took place under heavy security presence, the voter turnout was notably high at 77.32 percent. However, the electoral process was marred by incidents of intimidation reportedly carried out by suspected militants.
Altercations between Congress workers and supporters of the National People's Party (NPF) were also reported, along with the damaging of an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at a polling station in the Tangkhul Naga-dominated hill district.
At the KK Leishi Phanit polling station in Ukhrul, enraged voters resorted to destroying an EVM and other items following alleged disruptions by armed miscreants,as per PTI.