IMPHAL: Re-polling in 34 polling stations, spread across eight constituencies, ended peacefully on Thursday with a whooping voter turn-out of 89 per cent. The otherwise peaceful polling was, however, marred by some stray incidents of violence. Of the 34 polling stations which went for re-polling, five were in Andro, 12 in Saikul, three in Saitu, six in Thanlon, five in Henglep and one each in Uripok, Saikot and Singhat assembly constituencies. Re-poll was ordered in these polling stations based on reports and complaints of the voting process getting interrupted due to technical snags and other electoral malpractices during the first phase elections of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly conducted on March 4.
The pre-liminary reports put the polling figure at 89 per cent.The polling from 7 am to 3 pm ended peacefully by and large as tight security arrangements were put in place in all the polling stations. Of the 34 polling stations which went for re-polling, votes would be cast again on Friday. Counting of votes for the two-phase state assembly polls, which witnessed a bitter contest between the Congress and the BJP, will be taken up on March 11.
Meanwhile, all polling parties for the 15 polling stations in Saikul and Saitu ACs have reached DC Kangpokpi complex safely where they also handed over the EVMs and other poll related documents to the authority concerned.The 12 polling stations where re-poll was ordered in 46-Saikul AC are 46/1 Saikho, 46/2 Kha-ochangbung, 46/3 Molkon (A), 46/5 Molkon (B), 46/16 Ekou Mulam, 46/18 Luwangsangol, 46/21 Khongnangpokpi, 46/24 H Champhai, 46/30 Khamen-lok, 46/42 Kamuching, 46/43 Leirok Vaiphei and 46/44 Ma-phou Kuki while the three poll-ing stations under 51-Saitu AC are 51/2 Mayangkhang (A), 51/3 Mayangkhang (B) and 51/12 L Simol.
NCP candidate in Saikul AC C Doungel and his son addl DGP Paotinmang Doungel (IPS) cast their votes at 46/5 Molkon polling station. It has been reported that the ADGP refused to break the long queue when he was offered priority to cast his vote while standing together with other voters.
BJP candidate Haokholet Kipgen in Saitu AC, who was present at polling station 51/2 Mayangkhang-A, stated that the voting in was conducted peace-fully and expressed confidence of winning the Saitu seat.Meanwhile, District Magistrate Kangpokpi T Ranjit Singh issued an order under Section 144 of CrPC in the entire Kangpokpi district particularly within a radius of 200 metres from the Counting Centre located at DC office, Kangpokpi to avoid any kind of untoward incidents during the counting of votes.
Source: The People’s Chronicle
