Highlights

  • 68% voter turnout in Manipur vs 82% in 2019
  • Firing, intimidation, destruction of EVMs reported
  • BJP & Congress accuse each other of violence

Latest news

\'Mereko marwaoge\': Rohit Sharma's hilarious response to Pujara, Rahane 'retirement mistake' goes viral

\'Mereko marwaoge\': Rohit Sharma's hilarious response to Pujara, Rahane 'retirement mistake' goes viral

Trains movement hit in Punjab as farmers squat on tracks as part of Rail Roko protest

Trains movement hit in Punjab as farmers squat on tracks as part of Rail Roko protest

Karan Aujla delivers electrifying performance in Delhi-NCR

Karan Aujla delivers electrifying performance in Delhi-NCR

Russian oil spill contaminates 50km of Black Sea beaches

Russian oil spill contaminates 50km of Black Sea beaches

Two Monkeypox cases reported in Kerala

Two Monkeypox cases reported in Kerala

Congress twisted facts, distorted my statement on Ambedkar: Amit Shah

Congress twisted facts, distorted my statement on Ambedkar: Amit Shah

2 dead, 75 rescued after speed boat rams into ferry off Mumbai coast

2 dead, 75 rescued after speed boat rams into ferry off Mumbai coast

PM Modi to visit Kuwait on December 21-22

PM Modi to visit Kuwait on December 21-22

68% voter turnout in Manipur despite gunfire, EVM damage, booth capturing

Both the BJP and the Congress accused each other of unleashing violence and breaching the election Model Code of Conduct.

68% voter turnout in Manipur despite gunfire, EVM damage, booth capturing

Incidents of firing, intimidation, destruction of EVMs at some polling booths and allegations of booth capturing were reported from conflict-hit Manipur that recorded a turnout of over 68 per cent in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls on Friday.

Both the BJP and the Congress accused each other of unleashing violence and breaching the election Model Code of Conduct.

The state which has been reeling under the conflict of ethnic violence since May last year has traditionally seen a very high voter turnout. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the state recorded a turnout of 82 per cent.

Voting took place in two constituencies--Inner Manipur (32 assembly segments) and Outer Manipur (15 assembly segments)- on Friday while polling in the remaining 13 assembly segments in the Outer Manipur constituency will take place on April 26 in the second phase. "A voter turnout of 68.82 per cent has been recorded. While the Inner Manipur constituency has recorded 72.3 per cent turnout, the poll percentage in Outer Manipur stood at 61.98 per cent," said Pradeep Kumar Jha, Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur.

Keirao constituency in Imphal East district recorded the highest turnout among all the 32 constituencies of Inner Manipur with 83.81 per cent. For Outer, Chandel which has both Naga and Kuki voters recorded the highest turnout with 85.54 per cent turnout. Kuki-dominated Henglep in the Churachandpur district recorded an 80.70 per cent voter turnout while Saikul recorded the lowest with just 19.46 per cent.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh's constituency Heingang recorded an 80 per cent turnout followed by BJP candidate Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh's Nambol constituency, which recorded 79.88 per cent.

According to sources, the incidents of EVMs being destroyed were reported from at least four polling booths by unidentified miscreants in Imphal East and Imphal West.

"An EVM machine was set ablaze at Moirangkampu Sajeb in Khurai constituency in Imphal East district and a 65-year-old man was also shot at by some unidentified gunmen. There has also been vandalism in at least one more polling station, in Uripok in Imphal West," an official source said.

"He was standing near a polling station when some armed assailants opened fire. He has been taken to a hospital in Imphal for treatment," a police official said.

Booth Level Officer for Moirangkampu Sajeb, Surbala Devi said, "Suddenly two men came and asked for polling agents of the Congress and the BJP. They took the Congress agent outside by holding his hand. Then the two men fired shots at him from inside the car." In a separate incident, armed men also fired several rounds in the air near a polling booth in Thamnapokpi under the Moirang assembly constituency in Bishnupur district, prompting voters to flee, police said. They said additional security personnel were rushed to the spot to contain the situation.

Police officials also said that some unidentified armed men intimidated election agents of a particular political party at different places, including Uripok and Iroishemba in Imphal West district, and asked them to leave the polling stations.

"Incensed with the intimidation, voters at Iroishemba forcefully entered polling stations and destroyed election materials and equipment," the official said.

At Kiyamgei in Imphal East district's Keirao constituency, armed men fired blank shots and intimidated some polling agents.

Earlier in the day, an altercation broke out between voters and unidentified men at Khongman Zone 4 in Imphal East district, leading to damage to EVMs.

Congress candidate Bimol Akoijam also got into an argument with police personnel in a polling station at Kyamgei Heibong Makhong High School in Imphal East, where he alleged that polling agents of his party were being threatened.

BJP's state unit general secretary K Sarat Kumar alleged that Akoijam, accompanied by his supporters, visited several polling stations and provoked officials.

"Akoijam, accompanied by his supporters, visited several polling booths and disturbed the election atmosphere. We have filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer and Returning Officer," he told reporters.

The Congress also blamed the BJP for violence during voting in Inner Manipur.

Kh Devbrata, working president of the state unit of the Congress, told reporters: "We strongly condemn the acts of armed unidentified men entering polling stations and intimidating voters and indulging in proxy voting." "We haven't seen the government try to conduct the polling peacefully in a free and fair manner," Devbrata said.

Girish Chodankar, the election in-charge of Manipur and Nagaland for AICC, wrote on X that violence and booth capturing by armed miscreants have been witnessed in several places despite a written submission to the Chief Electoral Officer of "possible tension." "They allowed frustrated BJP supporters to forcibly capture booths and prevent common people from exercising their voting rights, making a mockery of the elections. We have demanded repolling in such booths," he added.

Several voters took to social media to claim that their votes were already found cast when they reached the poll booth. Manipur has witnessed sporadic, sometimes intense, ethnic clashes since May 3 last year between the majority Meitei community and the Kukis, resulting in the loss of more than 200 lives. While the Meiteis are now concentrated in Imphal city, the Kukis have moved to the hills.

More than 24,000 displaced people living in the relief camps were identified by the Election Commission as eligible voters and 94 special polling stations were set up for them.

No voting arrangements were made for those who left the northeastern state after the clashes.

A group of women marched to a polling booth in the Churachandpur district, which was the epicentre of the violence last year. They flashed posters and raised slogans of "No justice, no vote".

Ahead of polls, several bodies and civil society organisations had launched campaigns pushing for an election boycott saying "need the right to live before the right to vote".

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

68% voter turnout in Manipur despite gunfire, EVM damage, booth capturing

68% voter turnout in Manipur despite gunfire, EVM damage, booth capturing

Was this Shashi Tharoor's last election? Congress leader reveals

Was this Shashi Tharoor's last election? Congress leader reveals

What lies ahead for AIADMK after Lok Sabha debacle?

What lies ahead for AIADMK after Lok Sabha debacle?

Meet GenZ candidates set to become India’s youngest MPs

Meet GenZ candidates set to become India’s youngest MPs

Odisha's chief ministerial race: five BJP stalwarts in contention

Odisha's chief ministerial race: five BJP stalwarts in contention

Modi's swearing-in ceremony, India to invite top leaders of neighbouring countries: report

Modi's swearing-in ceremony, India to invite top leaders of neighbouring countries: report

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

Naidu and Kumar seek key cabinet posts in Modi's next term: report

Naidu and Kumar seek key cabinet posts in Modi's next term: report

What next for jailed Amritpal Singh, Engineer Rashid who have now become lawmakers?

What next for jailed Amritpal Singh, Engineer Rashid who have now become lawmakers?

Narendra Modi elected NDA leader, to be next PM

Narendra Modi elected NDA leader, to be next PM

Mallikarjun Kharge invites parties with 'shared values' to join INDIA bloc

Mallikarjun Kharge invites parties with 'shared values' to join INDIA bloc

INDIA bloc leaders hold meet at Mallikarjun Kharge residence

INDIA bloc leaders hold meet at Mallikarjun Kharge residence

President Murmu dissolves 17th Lok Sabha

President Murmu dissolves 17th Lok Sabha

Will top BJP allies stay in NDA or leave? Modi 3.0 hangs in the balance

Will top BJP allies stay in NDA or leave? Modi 3.0 hangs in the balance

NDA meet at PM Modi residence, discussion on forming govt

NDA meet at PM Modi residence, discussion on forming govt

KL Sharma wins Amethi, how Congress planned Rahul revenge

KL Sharma wins Amethi, how Congress planned Rahul revenge

Union Cabinet recommends dissolution of 17th Lok Sabha

Union Cabinet recommends dissolution of 17th Lok Sabha

Narendra Modi expected to take oath as PM on June 8: report

Narendra Modi expected to take oath as PM on June 8: report

Lok Sabha election results: Tejashwi Yadav pulled crowds in Bihar, but failed to turn them into votes

Lok Sabha election results: Tejashwi Yadav pulled crowds in Bihar, but failed to turn them into votes

JDU will give letter of support to NDA, PM Modi: KC Tyagi

JDU will give letter of support to NDA, PM Modi: KC Tyagi

INDIA bloc and NDA leaders in huddle after June 4 Lok Sabha result

INDIA bloc and NDA leaders in huddle after June 4 Lok Sabha result

Chandrababu Naidu breaks suspense over defection to INDIA bloc

Chandrababu Naidu breaks suspense over defection to INDIA bloc

Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu emerge as kingmakers as BJP short of majority

Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu emerge as kingmakers as BJP short of majority

BJP falls short of majority, Nitish Kumar to attend NDA meet in Delhi

BJP falls short of majority, Nitish Kumar to attend NDA meet in Delhi

Cycle rolls over BJP's Purvanchal fortress, comparison with 2019 result

Cycle rolls over BJP's Purvanchal fortress, comparison with 2019 result

Jailed Kashmiri leader beats Omar Abdullah, Sajad Lone to win Baramulla seat

Jailed Kashmiri leader beats Omar Abdullah, Sajad Lone to win Baramulla seat

PM Modi thanks Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar in victory speech | Lok Sabha election results

PM Modi thanks Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar in victory speech | Lok Sabha election results

For first time in 10 years, Congress opens account in Gujarat

For first time in 10 years, Congress opens account in Gujarat

How Rahul Gandhi set the Lok Sabha campaign narrative, and BJP followed

How Rahul Gandhi set the Lok Sabha campaign narrative, and BJP followed

Setback for BJP as Faizabad picks Samajwadi candidate Awadhesh Prasad

Setback for BJP as Faizabad picks Samajwadi candidate Awadhesh Prasad

BJP's Tamil Nadu star Annamalai's bleak ballot debut

BJP's Tamil Nadu star Annamalai's bleak ballot debut

Uttar Pradesh result establishes Akhilesh at centre stage, end of road for Mayawati

Uttar Pradesh result establishes Akhilesh at centre stage, end of road for Mayawati

When Modi loses, Adani stocks fall: Rahul Gandhi as BJP falls short of majority

When Modi loses, Adani stocks fall: Rahul Gandhi as BJP falls short of majority

Smriti Irani concedes defeat, thanks PM Modi, Yogi for letting her serve Amethi

Smriti Irani concedes defeat, thanks PM Modi, Yogi for letting her serve Amethi

Nation rejected politics of Modi, Shah: Rahul Gandhi in press conference

Nation rejected politics of Modi, Shah: Rahul Gandhi in press conference

London postgrad Iqra Hasan beats BJP in once communally charged Kairana

London postgrad Iqra Hasan beats BJP in once communally charged Kairana

Shyam Rangeela mimics PM Modi, 'calls' Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu in hilarious video

Shyam Rangeela mimics PM Modi, 'calls' Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu in hilarious video

'Real' Shiv Sena, NCP outperformed by Sharad, Uddhav in Maharashtra

'Real' Shiv Sena, NCP outperformed by Sharad, Uddhav in Maharashtra

BJP's Rajeev Chandrashekhar concedes defeat to Shashi Tharoor | Thiruvananthapuram LS seat

BJP's Rajeev Chandrashekhar concedes defeat to Shashi Tharoor | Thiruvananthapuram LS seat

NOTA gets record 2.18 lakh votes in Indore where Congress candidate withdrew

NOTA gets record 2.18 lakh votes in Indore where Congress candidate withdrew

Sharad Pawar denies talks with Nitish Kumar | Lok Sabha election results

Sharad Pawar denies talks with Nitish Kumar | Lok Sabha election results

Odisha assembly elections: BJP likely to dethrone Naveen Patnaik

Odisha assembly elections: BJP likely to dethrone Naveen Patnaik

Lok Sabha elections: INDIA bloc leading in 44 seats, BJP-led NDA in 35

Lok Sabha elections: INDIA bloc leading in 44 seats, BJP-led NDA in 35

Congress' Amethi pick KL Sharma reacts to potential win over BJP's Smriti Irani

Congress' Amethi pick KL Sharma reacts to potential win over BJP's Smriti Irani

Mamata Banerjee stays strong in her turf, outperforms BJP in West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee stays strong in her turf, outperforms BJP in West Bengal

BJP short of majority as per latest trends, NDA likely to cross 272

BJP short of majority as per latest trends, NDA likely to cross 272

BJP going to form govt for third time, says Kangana Ranaut

BJP going to form govt for third time, says Kangana Ranaut

Lok Sabha election results: Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh leads in Punjab

Lok Sabha election results: Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh leads in Punjab

Smriti Irani stares at defeat as KL Sharma takes massive lead in Amethi

Smriti Irani stares at defeat as KL Sharma takes massive lead in Amethi

BJP workers imitate shaving man's head to mock Somnath Bharti

BJP workers imitate shaving man's head to mock Somnath Bharti

'Not happy about Hassan result': JDS leader Kumaraswamy

'Not happy about Hassan result': JDS leader Kumaraswamy

Lok Sabha results LIVE: BJP set to lose heavily in Uttar Pradesh as SP-Congress leads in 42 seats 

Lok Sabha results LIVE: BJP set to lose heavily in Uttar Pradesh as SP-Congress leads in 42 seats 

BJP on verge of creating history in Kerala, Suresh Gopi poised to win from Thrissur

BJP on verge of creating history in Kerala, Suresh Gopi poised to win from Thrissur

Lok Sabha election 2024 results: counting of votes across 543 constituencies underway

Lok Sabha election 2024 results: counting of votes across 543 constituencies underway

Celebrations begin at TMC office in Kolkata | Watch

Celebrations begin at TMC office in Kolkata | Watch

Sanjay Raut bats for Rahul Gandhi as PM, says Congress may cross 150

Sanjay Raut bats for Rahul Gandhi as PM, says Congress may cross 150

Andhra Pradesh assembly polls result: Naidu's TDP well on its way to dethrone YSRCP

Andhra Pradesh assembly polls result: Naidu's TDP well on its way to dethrone YSRCP

'This is just trailer': Congress' Jairam Ramesh takes sly dig at BJP

'This is just trailer': Congress' Jairam Ramesh takes sly dig at BJP

BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut offer prayers on election result day

BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut offer prayers on election result day

Counting of votes for Andhra, Odisha assembly elections begins

Counting of votes for Andhra, Odisha assembly elections begins

These are early trends, won't celebrate prematurely: Supriya Shrinate

These are early trends, won't celebrate prematurely: Supriya Shrinate

We will comfortably form government: Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh

We will comfortably form government: Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh

Hoping exit poll proves right for J&K: NC leader Omar Abdullah

Hoping exit poll proves right for J&K: NC leader Omar Abdullah

Will work for all, whether they voted for me or not: Shashi Tharoor

Will work for all, whether they voted for me or not: Shashi Tharoor

Exit polls 2024: Congress likely to maintain lead in Punjab, no gain for AAP

Exit polls 2024: Congress likely to maintain lead in Punjab, no gain for AAP

Today is last day of dictatorship: AAP leader Gopal Rai

Today is last day of dictatorship: AAP leader Gopal Rai

Ram Rajya will continue: BJP Gorakhpur candidate Ravi Kishan

Ram Rajya will continue: BJP Gorakhpur candidate Ravi Kishan

'Teesri baar Modi sarkaar': BJP's Bansuri Swaraj confident of win

'Teesri baar Modi sarkaar': BJP's Bansuri Swaraj confident of win

'Modi Ka Pariwar' in hearts of all Indians: K Madhavi Latha

'Modi Ka Pariwar' in hearts of all Indians: K Madhavi Latha

5 injured in crude bomb blast in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas

5 injured in crude bomb blast in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas

EC 'outrightly' rejects Jairam Ramesh's request for extra time to back claims

EC 'outrightly' rejects Jairam Ramesh's request for extra time to back claims

'Cannot spread a rumour..': CEC responds to Congress' Jairam Ramesh's allegations

'Cannot spread a rumour..': CEC responds to Congress' Jairam Ramesh's allegations

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reacts to 'Laapata gentlemen' memes | Watch

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reacts to 'Laapata gentlemen' memes | Watch

BJP plans mega event to mark 2024 Lok Sabha election victory: report

BJP plans mega event to mark 2024 Lok Sabha election victory: report

'Just wait and see': Sonia Gandhi on INDIA bloc's chances of winning 2024 Lok Sabha election

'Just wait and see': Sonia Gandhi on INDIA bloc's chances of winning 2024 Lok Sabha election

In rare move, EC to hold presser day before counting of votes

In rare move, EC to hold presser day before counting of votes

Kejriwal lists 'theories' behind exit poll: 'bid to prevent mutiny in BJP'

Kejriwal lists 'theories' behind exit poll: 'bid to prevent mutiny in BJP'

Count postal ballots before declaring EVM results: INDIA bloc to EC

Count postal ballots before declaring EVM results: INDIA bloc to EC

Sandeshkhali sees post-poll violence, Guv writes to Mamata

Sandeshkhali sees post-poll violence, Guv writes to Mamata

Arvind Kejriwal returns to Tihar Jail as interim bail ends

Arvind Kejriwal returns to Tihar Jail as interim bail ends

SKM sweeps assembly elections in Sikkim, wins 31 of 32 seats

SKM sweeps assembly elections in Sikkim, wins 31 of 32 seats

BJP wins Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections for third straight time

BJP wins Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections for third straight time

Watch: Rahul Gandhi slams exit polls, predicts these many seats for INDIA bloc

Watch: Rahul Gandhi slams exit polls, predicts these many seats for INDIA bloc

'Will shave off my head if...': AAP's Somnath Bharti's claim on exit polls predicting NDA win

'Will shave off my head if...': AAP's Somnath Bharti's claim on exit polls predicting NDA win

Sikkim-Arunachal Pradesh assembly polls: counting for votes begin amid heavy security

Sikkim-Arunachal Pradesh assembly polls: counting for votes begin amid heavy security

Lok Sabha elections 2024 exit polls: poll of polls predict big victory for Modi-led NDA

Lok Sabha elections 2024 exit polls: poll of polls predict big victory for Modi-led NDA

Pawan Khera calls exit poll 'source of entertainment', slams PM Modi for his tweet

Pawan Khera calls exit poll 'source of entertainment', slams PM Modi for his tweet

'Delusional politics': Hardeep Singh Puri slams Congress' 295 seats claim

'Delusional politics': Hardeep Singh Puri slams Congress' 295 seats claim

'Sarkari exit poll': Supriya Shrinate slams exit poll surveys predicting Modi sweep

'Sarkari exit poll': Supriya Shrinate slams exit poll surveys predicting Modi sweep

INDIA bloc will win at least 295 seats, Kharge asserts after opposition meet

INDIA bloc will win at least 295 seats, Kharge asserts after opposition meet

PM Modi ends his 45-hour long meditation, visits Tamil poet's statue

PM Modi ends his 45-hour long meditation, visits Tamil poet's statue

INDIA bloc meet underway to discuss strategy for counting day | Lok Sabha elections

INDIA bloc meet underway to discuss strategy for counting day | Lok Sabha elections

BJP leader sends ambulance for Kejriwal, says CM creating drama over health

BJP leader sends ambulance for Kejriwal, says CM creating drama over health

Lok Sabha polls final phase: voter turnout at 40.09% till 1 pm

Lok Sabha polls final phase: voter turnout at 40.09% till 1 pm

Pawan Khera responds to Amit Shah's 'denial mode' dig at party for skipping exit poll debates

Pawan Khera responds to Amit Shah's 'denial mode' dig at party for skipping exit poll debates

Sporadic incidents of violence mar final phase of voting in Bengal

Sporadic incidents of violence mar final phase of voting in Bengal

Watch: election underway at world's highest polling station- Tashigang

Watch: election underway at world's highest polling station- Tashigang

Seventh phase of voting: EVMs, VVPAT looted in West Bengal, thrown into pond

Seventh phase of voting: EVMs, VVPAT looted in West Bengal, thrown into pond

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.