ECI orders repolling at 8 stations in Arunachal Pradesh following election irregularities in Manipur
PTC News Desk: Following the need for corrective measures, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has mandated repolling at eight polling stations in Arunachal Pradesh due to instances of EVM damage and violence during the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls on April 19.
This decision comes on the heels of similar actions taken in Manipur, where repolls were ordered at 11 stations.
The official announcement came through Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Liken Koyu, who stated that the Commission deemed the polling at the eight designated stations null and void. Consequently, fresh polling has been scheduled for April 24, from 6 am to 2 pm.
The polling stations slated for repolling are as follows:
1. Sario in Bameng assembly constituency, located in East Kameng district.
2. Longte Loth under Nyapin assembly seat, situated in Kurung Kumey district.
3. Dingser, Bogiya Siyum, Jimbari, and Lengi polling booths under the Nacho constituency, situated in Upper Subansiri district.
4. Bogne and Molom polling booths under Rumgong assembly constituency, located in Siang district.
It's worth noting that these polling stations were identified due to reported instances of EVM damage and violence, necessitating a redo of the electoral process to ensure fairness and integrity.
During the initial polling on April 19, an estimated 76.44 per cent of the total 8,92,694 eligible voters cast their ballots to elect 50 MLAs for the 60-member assembly in Arunachal Pradesh. With the upcoming repolling, the ECI aims to uphold the democratic principles and provide every voter with an opportunity to exercise their franchise freely and fairly.
Repolling conducted in Manipur following election disruptions: April 22 updates
As per directives from the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Manipur's Chief Electoral Officer, repolling occurred today, April 22, at 11 polling booths scattered across the state. The decision for repolling stemmed from disturbances encountered during Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha elections, notably an incident involving gunfire at one of the polling stations.
Officials reported a voter turnout of 37.54 per cent by 11 am during the repolling process at the 11 polling stations within the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency.
Manipur, marred by incidents of firing, intimidation, and EVM damage at several polling stations, also witnessed allegations of booth capturing amidst ongoing conflicts. Despite these challenges, the state registered a turnout of 72 per cent across the two Lok Sabha constituencies—Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur—during the initial polling on Friday.
- With inputs from agencies
