The tranquility of Manipur’s Ukhrul district was shattered on Friday as miscreants wreaked havoc by vandalizing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines at two polling stations. The incident unfolded amidst the polling process for the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat, raising concerns over the sanctity of the electoral process. Kajalai Gangmei, Assistant Returning Officer of Ukhrul, reported the distressing news to the Returning Officer, detailing the destruction of EVMs and VVPAT machines at polling stations 44/36 and 44/41 at approximately 3:40 pm. Prompt action followed as engineers were summoned to assess the extent of damage inflicted upon the voting apparatus. In the electoral arena, the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat witnesses a heated contest between Naga People’s Front (NPF) candidate K Timothy Zimik and Congress’s Alfred Kanngam S Arthur, with BJP offering support to the NPF. Meanwhile, the Manipur Congress has raised urgent demands for re-polling in numerous polling stations across the state, citing widespread irregularities and disturbances during the polling process.
In a formal communication addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur, the party outlined alarming incidents of EVM destruction, booth capturing, rigging, and forced voting allegedly orchestrated by unidentified armed individuals. These distressing events unfolded in Phungyar and Ukhrul, coinciding with polling for the Outer Manipur seat, which witnessed a voter turnout of 76.06 percent until 5 pm on Friday. The Manipur Congress highlighted several instances of violence and disruptions, including the destruction of EVMs at polling station No. 43/19 – Shingkap Government High School, and booth capturing at polling station No. 43/46 – Nambashi Khullen Government High School, among others. The party further alleged that polling agents of Congress candidate Alfred Kanngam S Arthur were obstructed from performing their duties.
Moreover, disturbances were reported in the 44-Ukhrul (ST) Assembly Constituency, where EVM machines were reportedly destroyed in three polling stations, namely 44/36 – Ukhrul Model High School, 44/41 – Greenland Primary School, and 44/50 – KK Leishiphanit Junior High School. The Manipur Congress urged the Chief Electoral Officer to take immediate action to address the reported irregularities and ensure a fair electoral process. It emphasized the necessity of re-polling or conducting fresh polls in the affected areas to uphold the democratic values of transparency and integrity.