Violence, poll malpractice mark Lok Sabha elections in Manipur

The polling process in Manipur has been marred by incidents of violence and allegations of electoral malpractice. Gunfire near polling stations in the Manipur valley resulted in injuries and property damage.

In Khurai, Imphal East, an armed individual opened fire, injuring one person. Later, the polling station was vandalised and documents were destroyed. Another incident of gunfire occurred in Thamanpokpi in the Bishnupur district.

Throughout the day, armed personnel, suspected to be members of the radical armed Meitei group Arambai Tenggol, were reportedly present at various polling stations in the Manipur valley.

Congress candidate in Manipur Bimol Akoijam accused police personnel of threatening Congress polling agents at a polling station in Kyamgei Heibong Makhong High School, Imphal East.

In addition to incidents of violence, electoral malpractice was reported, with an electronic voting machine (EVM) being damaged in Thongju, Imphal East. Vandalism occurred in another polling station in Uripok, Imphal West. Complaints were received from polling stations in Imphal West regarding voter intimidation and attempts to capture booths.

In the Kangpokpi district of Manipur, which falls under the Outer constituency, there was a low voter turnout due to a call to “abstain from voting” by various Kuki-Zomi organizations.

While the overall voter turnout in Manipur was 27.64 percent as of 11 am, Kangpokpi recorded only around 12 percent turnout, with higher participation in areas inhabited by other communities such as Nagas and Nepalis.

Around 6 pm, the voter turnout was at 68.2 percent with Inner Manipur registering 72.32 percent and Outer Manipur seeing 61.98 percent turnout.