AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Imphal, In the wake of violent disruptions that marred the initial voting process, citizens of Manipur, India, returned to the polls today to participate once more in the Lok Sabha elections.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the decision to re-conduct elections in 11 of the state’s nearly 3,000 polling stations came after incidents last week where armed individuals sabotaged the voting process. During the first day of national elections last Friday, attackers targeted and destroyed electronic voting machines, prompting election authorities to nullify the results from those stations.
Manipur has experienced ongoing ethnic tensions, escalating since May 2023, between the state’s two predominant ethnic groups. This strife has tragically resulted in approximately 200 deaths and the displacement of over 60,000 residents, as violent clashes have led to the devastation of multiple villages.