The Election Commission of India (ECI) has declared void the polling conducted at 11 booths across five Assembly segments in Inner Manipur during the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on 19 April. The decision comes after presiding officers reported incidents of mob violence, gunfire and destroyed Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at some polling stations.
A re-poll will be held at these booths in the Khurai, Thongju, Uripok, Konthoujam and Kshetrigao constituencies between 7 am and 5 pm on 22 April, Manipur's Chief Electoral Officer said in a statement late on 20 April.
The northeastern state has been gripped by ethnic clashes between the tribal Christian Kuki and dominant Hindu Meitei communities since May 2023, leaving 219 dead and displacing 70,000 people, according to state government figures from February 2024.
Reports from polling officials and eyewitnesses paint a grim picture of the events that unfolded on election day. Instances of mob violence, riots, and even unidentified individuals casting votes on behalf of voters were reported, rendering the polling in these booths invalid.
Despite tight security, polls in Manipur's two Lok Sabha seats - Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur - were marred by reports of violence, intimidation, EVM vandalism and allegations of booth capturing. The Inner seat covers Meitei-dominated valley regions while Outer covers Kuki-Zomi and Naga tribal areas.
Speaking to Christian Today India, Ginza Vualzong, Spokesperson of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) said, “Election violence only happened in the Imphal valley or the inner Manipur. There is no report of violence in the tribal areas. In Manipur especially in the valley the Arambai Tenggol are the ones who called the shots. As far as the hills are concerned there is no report of violence. People either abstained (from voting) or casted their votes peacefully.”
Following severe "mob violence" at Moirangkampu Sejab Primary School in Imphal, a re-poll was suggested. The violence escalated into gunfire, causing injuries and leading to the arrest of three individuals by the police. Subsequently, angry voters protested by burning the EVMs, expressing their discontent and frustration.
News Portal The Quint reported about the violence and spoke to an eyewitness in Thamanpokpi, Bishnupur, who said: "It all happened around 9 a.m. We were standing to vote when firing started...By 1 pm, things calmed, and people are voting again."
Furthermore, incidents of booth capturing were reported, with groups of unidentified persons entering polling stations and casting multiple votes without following due procedure. One such incident occurred at Khaidem Makha, prompting mob violence and security interventions to safeguard the EVMs.
At Khongman Zone IV, furious voters broke an EVM alleging "other agents" pressed buttons for them. "When I went to vote, I saw my whole family's vote had been cast," an elderly woman there told The Quint.
The Congress party complained of violence, intimidation and capturing at 47 booths, 36 in Inner Manipur. A Naga party agent claimed intimidation in Churachandpur and Saikot in Outer Manipur too, requesting re-polling.
"All voters and workers were threatened with arms and chased by militants," agent Khulpuwa Armstrong Charang wrote to the EC.
Arambai Tenggol, a controversial Meitei armed group, has been named in several incidents of violence and intimidation, although they deny these allegations. Eyewitness accounts reveal instances where voters were coerced into voting for specific candidates or faced threats from armed individuals.
At Haobam Marak, a woman voter told The Quint: "Agents inside are asking us to punch only for candidate number two."
The Reverend Onkho Haokip from the Kuki Baptist Convention also spoke to Christian Today and said, " The violence in Manipur's elections is alarming, with local ground videos showing Arambai Tengol resorting to unlawful acts. Democracy hangs by a thread as booths are captured and citizens are threatened at gunpoint. In the hill districts, some from the Kuki community abstain from voting in protest, while others cast their ballots to affirm their Indian citizenship amidst these challenging times."
While Inner Manipur fully polled on 19 April, some Outer segments vote on 26 April in the final phase. The ethnic strife has damaged homes and infrastructure across the state.
Despite these challenges, voter turnout was recorded at 72 per cent in both Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur constituencies. However, the integrity of the electoral process was compromised due to the widespread incidents of violence and malpractice.
The re-polling scheduled for 22 April aims to rectify the electoral anomalies and ensure that voters can cast their ballots without fear or interference. The ECI, along with local authorities and security forces, is taking measures to enhance security and prevent further disruptions during the re-polling process.
