EC orders re-poll in 19 polling stations of Outer Manipur LS constituency

The Election Commission on Tuesday ordered re-poll in 19 polling stations of Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency following complaints of voter intimidation by militants and destruction of EVMs and VVPATs.

Repolling in these polling stations spread over four districts -- Senapati, Chandel, Churachandpur and Ukhrul -- will be held on April 18, the same day of voting for Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat, according to an order by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Eleven polling stations in Senapati, four in Ukhrul, three in Churachandpur and one in Chandel will witness repolling.

In a communication to the returning officer of Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat, ECI Secretary Mohammed Umar said the repoll has been ordered on the basis of reports of the officer and observers "after taking all material circumstances into account".

The BJP had filed complaint with the Manipur Chief Election Officer last week, alleging voter intimidation by the cadre of the National Socialist Council for Nagaland (NSCN-IM) to vote for the NPF's Outer Manipur candidate Lorho Mao that went to polls in the first phase on April 11.

On the other hand, the NPF had also alleged that EVMs were tampered with by opening three rooms at Churachandpur DC office where these were kept after voting.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Singh had stated that two polling booths at Poi in Chingai in Ukhrul district were ransacked by unidentified persons who also destroyed EVMs and VVPATs on April 11.