IMPHAL: Amidst escalating tensions and sporadic incidents of violence, Manipur witnessed a notable 68% voter turnout as polling came to a close at 4 pm on Friday.
It is the lowest voters’ turnouts recorded in Manipur’s electoral history.
Numerous disruptions marred the polling process, with reports of vandalism, armed coercion preventing voters from leaving their homes, and instances of electoral malpractice.
One particularly alarming incident involved the damaging of an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), allegedly by a group accusing an armed faction of engaging in proxy voting on behalf of approximately 100 individuals.
In response to the chaos, Inner Manipur Congress candidate A Bimol Akoijam intervened at a polling booth in Khaidem, Imphal West, engaging with security personnel and polling agents to address the situation.
Highlighting multiple polling stations where EVMs were destroyed, local press outlets named many areas including those in Bamon Kampu, Sekmaijin Khunao Mamang, and Thongju assembly constituencies.
Additionally, disturbing incidents of assault and firing were reported, resulting in injuries to several individuals.
At Arapati Maning polling station, two individuals, K Johnson and Sorokhaibam Sunil, were assaulted and subsequently hospitalised.
Meanwhile, at Moirang Kampu Primary School, unidentified assailants in a white SUV opened fire, injuring one Koisnam Sanayaima.
Further, incidents of violence unfolded at Wangoo and Thamnapokpi polling stations, with reports of gunfire rattling the electoral process.
Allegations of proxy voting also surfaced, leading to the suspension of voting activities at Khaidem Upper Primary School polling booth under Konthoujam assembly constituency.
As the state grapples with these disruptions, authorities are faced with the challenge of restoring peace and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process amidst rising tensions and incidents of violence.
