Sporadic violence, threats, and intimidation marred the phase 1 Lok Sabha polls in Manipur on Friday. At least four Electronic Voting Machines were damaged at different polling booths in the conflict-hit state.
However, the state recorded over 65 per cent voter turnout during the phase 1 Lok Sabha polls. Since May last year, the state has been witnessing ethnic clashes resulting in the death of over 200 people.
There have been two incidents of gunfire close to polling stations in the Manipur valley. A bullet injury was reported after an armed person opened fire at a polling station in Khurai in Imphal East at noon.
According to officials, the polling station was vandalised and documents were set ablaze. Gunfires were also reported at Thamanpokpi in Bishnupur district.
"EVMs have been damaged at four places in Imphal East and West. At one of the polling booths, an EVM was set ablaze by unidentified miscreants," a source was quoted by PTI.
Manipur chief electoral officer (CEO) Pradeep Kumar Jha confirmed that an EVM was damaged in Thongju in Imphal East. There has also been vandalism in at least one more polling station, in Uripok in Imphal West as well.
The CEO also stated that they have received complaints from some polling stations in Imphal West of people intimidating voters and agents and attempting to capture booths.
The Kuki-Zomi organisations in Kangpokpi district, under the Outer Manipur constituency, urged voters to abstain from voting. The constituency recorded a low voter turnout.
More than 24,000 displaced people living in the relief camps were identified by the Election Commission as eligible to vote and 94 special polling stations were set up for them.
During phase 1, voting was held for two constituencies—Inner and Outer Manipur. Polling is scheduled in some areas of the Outer Manipur constituency in phase 2 on April 26.
