IMPHAL, March 5 (Newmai News Network): Re-polling at four polling booths in Tamei constituency of Tamenglong district on Monday witnessed vandalism with two EVMs destroyed allegedly by supporters of Congress and Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) at two different polling booths, while one EVM was reportedly sealed by security-men well ahead of the time given for the end of voting at Paldai polling booth under Chandel constituency.
Re-poll at four polling stations Makuilong, Lemtak, Kadi and Dulong under Tamei constituency were held on Monday. Re-poll for these polling booths were supposed to be conducted yesterday along with 63 other polling stations, however due to incessant rain and landslide polling at the four polling stations had to be postponed.
Sources said two EVMs were damaged at Lamta polling station by supporters of Indian National Congress (INC) and another at Kadi polling station, but this time allegedly by workers of MSCP.
The incidents occurred just before the voting ended at 3 pm at the two polling booths.
However, the damaged voting machine at Kadi polling booth was replaced by another and the polling continued and ended peacefully, official sources said.
But, no details were available from the state election office regarding Lamta polling booth.
In an unrelated incident that took place at Paldai polling station under Chandel constituency which went to re-poll yesterday, one EVM along with one polling officer were picked up by a police team led by Ningshing Tangkhul, additional Superintendent of Police, Thoubal district well before voting ended even as the security team sealed the voting machine, a source informed.
Polls to the 60-member Manipur assembly were held on January 28 last. In these polls, fate of 278 candidates will be decided tomorrow as counting of votes will begin tomorrow morning at 8.