IT News
Imphal, April 28:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued directives for a repoll in six polling stations across three assembly segments spanning Ukhrul and Senapati districts for the Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary Constituency. The decision comes after the previous poll conducted on April 26, 2024, was declared null and void, with April 30, 2024, slated as the date for the fresh electoral exercise.
Pradeep Kumar Jha, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Manipur, formally announced the repoll through an official notification. The specified polling stations are mandated to conduct voting between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM on April 30, 2024. The CEO Manipur has urged all eligible voters from these stations to actively engage in the electoral process.
The decision for the repoll aligns with the provisions outlined in Sections 58(2) and 58A(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, as elucidated in the official notification.
The Congress has earlier called for repolls in 17 polling stations, citing instances of widespread booth rigging and violence during the preceding election held on Friday.
The Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, designated for scheduled tribes, witnesses a competitive electoral landscape with four contenders from the Indian National Congress (INC), Naga People’s Front (NPF), and two independent candidates, all representing the Naga communities.
The affected polling stations, identified within their respective assembly segments, include 44 Ukhrul (ST) – 44/20-Shangshak A, 44/36-Ukhrul (A), 44/41-Ukhrul (D-1), 44/50-Ukhrul (F), 45-Chingai (ST) – 45/14-Chingai, 47-Karong (ST), and 47/33-Oinam (A1).