By R Lester Makang
UKHRUL, April 9: Contrary to the pre-polls aprehension which had earlier gripped the district, elections to the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency in the three constituencies of Ukhrul district today concluded peacefully though there has been some complaints for re-polling in certain polling stations.
According to sources from District Election Office, Ukhrul, the just concluded LS polls was peaceful registering a positive voter turn out of 78 per cent voters in 44-Ukhrul AC, 80 pc in Chingai AC and 88 in Phungyar AC respectively.
However, the figures were purely based on interim reports and might vary with the final figures which are yet to be worked out, the sources added.
The State Election Commision had earlier declared the two constituencies of the district viz 44- UKhrul AC and 45- Chingai AC as hyper sensitive zones in connection with the 16th Lok Sabha elections.
Meanwhile, the over all conduct of the 16 th Lok Sabha elections in the district was by and large peacefull across the district. The voter turn out was recorded slow but steadily managed to reach a positive mark by noon. Lairam Phungka in 43-Phungyar AC attained turn out of 262 out of 298 voters by mid day and had to close at 1:20 pm today.
Even then, unexpected occurance of problems with EVM machines caused slight hiccups in the vote casting process in certain polling stations like Awungtang in 44-Ukhrul and Chingchui CV in 45- Chingai AC.
Meanwhile, the District Elecxtion Officer/DC Hrishikesh has said that there has been no official complaints of any sorts of violence in any polling booths, while adding that certain candidates have put up demands for re-polling in a few polling stations in the district.
He said that the INC candidate has today submitted a petition demanding re-polll in certain polling stations in 45 Chingai AC while Independent candidate has demanded repolling at 9 polling stations in Chingai and three polling stations in Ukhrul AC.
“But the decision regarding the matter will only be taken after due perusal of all the necessary documents and consultation with the concerned presiding officers in the presence of election observers”, the DC added.
Meanwhile, the Tangkhul Naga Long and other Tangkhul Frontal organizations have strongly condemned the bomb attack on the Dy Speaker MK Preshaw at Leingangching near Litan on Wednesday, while appealing to all concerned to abstain from such acts in future in the interest of the general masses.