Imphal/New Delhi:

Manipur chief electoral officer PK Jha has sought reports from election officials detailing vandalism and violence inside polling stations and the need for re-voting at the request of candidates. The re-poll will be held only if the Election Commission takes a decision after reviewing the report, the official said.

Mr Jia said the state election commission had received complaints from three candidates about violence, vandalism and alleged fraud.

He said the State Election Commission will submit a report to the Election Commission detailing the situation in some assembly segments in Manipur constituencies and Outer Manipur constituencies on polling day.

Mr Jha told New Delhi TV today that the average turnout at special voting booths set up in relief camps for internally displaced persons who suffered ethnic violence was 95 per cent.

“Internally displaced voters send a message that their aspirations will be reflected in their votes,” Mr Jia said.

He said turnout in the Kangpokpi district was “very low” and election officials had been told to find out why.

Kukizo civil society groups have called for a boycott of the People’s House elections due to ethnic tensions in the border state. Kangpokpi is a Kuki-Zo dominated area. Churachandpur, another district dominated by these tribes, also reported some voting, but it was different from the peacetime situation.

When polls closed at 4pm yesterday, the state reported a turnout of 68%, which is considered one of the lowest turnout rates in the state.

Several incidents of vandalism, armed men threatening voters not to leave their homes, four incidents of damage to electronic voting machines (EVMs), allegations of proxy voting by armed groups and one shooting incident were reported. Four people were injured in the shooting.

Sources said video from the Khaidem polling station in Imphal showed a group of people vandalizing the EVM amid allegations that armed groups commissioned agents to vote on behalf of about 100 people. Soon, A Bimol Akoijam, the Congress candidate for Nemanipur, rushed to the polling station and spoke to security personnel and polling agents.

BJP sources said most of the violence occurred in Congress strongholds and “damaged areas”.