IMPHAL: Polling in trouble torn Manipur Outer parliamentary constituency concluded with a relative peace albeit rival political parties lodged complaints against one another to the Returning Officers of the election of booth capturing.
Till 3 pm, the over-all polled percentage was recorded at 65%, according to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nabokishore. He however told the media persons that the polled percentage could cross 70% when the last report comes in which is expected late tonight or early tomorrow.
Though relatively peacefully, today's polling was not without few stray incidents.
In Chandel district, an EVM was destroyed by a voter at polling station number 41/21 (Lambung Primary School). The CEO said a man went into the booth to cast his vote at around 12:20 pm but instead of casting, he destroyed the EVM. No further polling was done after the incident as the EVM became non-operational. The CEO said he had informed the matter to the ECI and the reply is awaited. Re-polling is like in that polling station. It is not clear whether the man was arrested or not.
In Thoubal district there was a clash between the supporters of BJP and the Congress at polling station number 35/27 (Sangayumpham) in Thoubal district. Two workers of BJP were injured in the incident.
Meanwhile, till 3 pm the CEO has recorded 70% of polling in Senapati district and replaced 3 EVMs till 3 pm. In Tamenglong district, it was recorded 80% polled, 60% in Chandel district with one EVM replacement, another 60% in Churachandpur district with 3 EVMs replacements, 70% in Ukhrul district with 3 EVMs replacements, 65% in Thoubal district 3 EVM replacements and 54% recorded in Jiribam subdivision with one EVM replacement.
In the last Lok Sabha election, i.e., in 2009, the Outer Parliamentary constituency of Manipur recorded 77% (over-all).
