The troubled northeastern state of Manipur in India is facing chaos and violence as armed men attacked polling stations and captured voting booths, leading election authorities to order a redo of voting at several locations. The conflict in Manipur has been ongoing for months, fueled by a dispute over tribal status privileges that has resulted in over 200 deaths and thousands of people being displaced.
The Election Commission of India has directed officials to conduct voting again at 11 polling stations where violence and rigging were reported. Video footage from the region showed mobs raiding polling stations, breaking electronic voting machines, and threatening voters. The presence of armed gangs and bogus voters has raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
Opposition political groups are calling for new voting in more than 45 polling booths in 12 areas of Manipur, citing widespread rigging and violence. Keisham Meghachandra, a leader of the Indian National Congress in Manipur, accused armed gangs supportive of the incumbent government of intimidating candidates and voters.
The state of Manipur is governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, and tensions are high as the country continues its multi-phase election process. With results set to be announced on June 4, the situation in Manipur highlights the challenges of ensuring a free and fair electoral process in a region plagued by conflict and violence.
