Re-polling began at 11 polling stations in the inner-Manipur Parliamentary constituency of the northeastern state on Monday.

After incidents of violence reported from these polling stations in Manipur on April 19, the Election Commission has ordered the repolling.

Some miscreants had allegedly opened fire and even destroyed EVMs at these polling stations during the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday.

Security has been tightened in all the polling stations to avoid any mishaps.

A local told  , “We have come to vote. Re-poll is happening. The security has been heightened.”

Manipur saw a voter turnout of 69.18 per cent till 7 pm on Friday.

The affected polling stations where repolling is being conducted are Moirangkampu Sajeb Upper Primary School and S. Ibobi Primary School (East Wing), in the Khurai assembly constituency, four in Kshetrigao, one in Thongju, three in Uripok, and one in Konthoujam.

Incidents of violence were reported at some of the polling booths in conflict-torn Manipur where some miscreants opened fire and even destroyed EVMs.

In the incidents of violence on April 19, one civilian was reported to be injured after the firing, and clashes were reported at a polling booth in Moirangkampu Sajeb Awang Leikai of Imphal, Manipur, during voting in the Lok Sabha elections.

All 32 assembly segments of the inner Manipur parliamentary constituency and 15 assembly segments of the outer Manipur (ST) parliamentary constituency voted for the Lok Sabha.

The voting for the remaining 13 segments of Outer Manipur will be held in the second phase on April 26.

The counting of votes will be held on June 4.

Manipur BJP candidate, Thounaojam Basantakumar Kumar Singh, expressed that re-polls are not solely held due to violence, but also for technical issues such as malfunctioning of EVMs.

He indicated that the Election Commission faced a significant challenge on April 19, having to manage around 1319 polling stations.

Despite the challenges, the Commission was able to provide proper security arrangements. Unforeseen events, however, led to the need for re-polls.

Addressing allegations made by the Congress party, Singh dismissed them as incorrect and challenged them to provide proof. He emphasized that the elections are conducted under the supervision of the Election Commission, not the BJP.

DC Imphal East, Khumanthem Diana Devi on April 22 stated elections across 11 polling booths in Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency is underway peacefully with more than 73 per cent voter turnout recorded till 3 pm.

According to the latest report as of 3 pm, 73 percent of the electorate has already exercised their voting rights. The voting commenced at 7 am and will continue until 5 pm.

There is optimism regarding a substantial voter turnout, with voters expressing a sense of safety and satisfaction at being granted the opportunity to cast their ballots again by the Election Commission.

Assurances were given regarding the implementation of adequate security measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the re-polling process. Furthermore, Devi emphasized that no incidents of violence have been reported thus far, indicating that proceedings are unfolding peacefully and without disruption.