The polling in the reserved Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency was held on Wednesday without major incidents.
According to the office of the chief election officer, Manipur, there was 84.7 per cent polling by 3 pm. Sources said that the final per centage cannot be given since ballot boxes from inaccessible areas yet to be brought to the district headquarters. There are five hill districts, one valley district and a sub division of Imphal east district in the constituency.
The officials said that these ballot boxes are being brought on foot by the polling personnel in the mountain bridle path. It is expected that they will reach the district headquarters by Thursday. In case of far off and inaccessible mountain villages four helicopters are pressed into service to airlift the ballot boxes on Thursday. If the weather is fine these ballot boxes could be brought to the district headquarters by late Thursday.
On the other hand, anti-social elements damaged one EVM at the Lanbung polling station in Chandel district. No arrest was made. Though the officials tried to set it right there were technical glitches. The officials are yet to take a decision on whether there should be repolling in this polling station. Reports also said that at least 12 EVMs had developed technical snags at different polling stations in other districts. The matter is being looked into for taking a decision.
Meanwhile, one person was injured in clashes among the workers of the BJP and the Congress at Heirok in Thoubal district. The injured person was rushed to the hospital. He is said to be out of danger. The workers of these political parties had fist fights at Sangai Yumpham, a Muslim dominated village in Thoubal district. The police had to fire several rounds in the air to disperse them.
Officials said that apart from these minor incidents the polling was peaceful in this constituency. Polling in the general seat in Manipur will be held on April 17.
