Heavy security measures have been implemented in preparation for the second phase of polling in Outer Manipur, scheduled for April 26. Authorities have set up 857 polling stations across the region and deployed 87 companies of paramilitary forces, along with over 4,000 state police personnel, to ensure a secure electoral process.

Chief Electoral Officer Pradeep Kumar Jha informed ANI that the upcoming phase will encompass 857 polling stations, including nine special polling stations. To maintain the integrity of the electoral process, a significant deployment of 87 companies of central paramilitary forces and a substantial contingent of state police forces has been mobilized.

Efforts towards gender inclusivity are also being highlighted, with Jha noting that 191 polling stations will be exclusively managed by women polling personnel.

The decision to conduct polling in two phases in Outer Manipur follows security concerns, particularly in light of incidents of violence during the initial phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 19. The state has a history of ethnic clashes, necessitating stringent security measures.

While Inner Manipur already completed voting in the initial phase, parts of Outer Manipur also participated. However, the remaining segments of Outer Manipur will undergo voting in the upcoming second phase.

Earlier, re-polling was conducted in 11 polling stations of Inner Manipur due to incidents of violence and vandalism, ensuring a fair electoral process.

In the upcoming elections, the constituency of Outer Manipur is currently held by Lorho Phoze of the Naga People Front, part of the BJP-led NDA alliance. The BJP has announced its support for Kachui Timothy Zimik, the NPF candidate for Outer Manipur, who faces competition from Congress MLA Alfred K Arthur, representing the joint Opposition candidate of the INDIA bloc.

The voter turnout in Manipur on April 19 exceeded 69 per cent, indicating active participation in the democratic process. The remaining 13 segments of Outer Manipur are scheduled for voting on April 26, with the counting of votes slated for June 4.

In view of the second phase of the election slated for April 26, as many as 857 polling stations, 87 companies of paramilitary forces and more than 4000 state police have been deployed in outer Manipur.

While speaking to media, Chief Electoral Officer Pradeep Kumar Jha said that the second phase of the election has a total of 857 polling stations including 9 special polling stations. 87 companies of centre paramilitary forces and more than 4000 state police forces have also been deployed to ensure free and fair elections.

He further said that 191 polling stations shall be exclusively managed by women polling personnel.

After incidents of violence during polling in the opening phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 19, bringing back grim memories of the ethnic clashes that claimed many lives and displaced scores more, the Manipur will have a tryst with democracy again on April 26.

While the Inner Manipur constituency, which is inhabited by the majority Meiteis, polled in the first phase on April 19, parts of Outer Manipur, too, voted to elect its Lok Sabha representative in the opening phase. The remaining parts of Outer Manipur will poll in the second phase on April 26.

While there is no official word on the rationale behind holding the polls in Outer Manipur in both phases, it is believed that the decision was taken after assessing security concerns in the violence-hit state.

Earlier, re-polling was held in 11 polling stations of the Inner Manipur constituency on April 22, after multiple incidents of violence were reported during the first phase of polling on April 19. Unidentified miscreants opened fire and even destroyed EVMs, according to sources.

The re-polling was done under tight security to avoid any mishaps.

Among the affected polling stations; two were from Khurai assembly constituency, four in Kshetrigao, one in Thongju, three in Uripok, and one in Konthoujam constituency.

The constituency of Outer Manipur is currently held by Lorho Phoze of the Naga People Front.

This time, however, the NPF is going into the polls as a partner in the BJP-led NDA. The BJP, earlier, announced its support for NPF candidate for Outer Manipur, Kachui Timothy Zimik.

Zimik is up against Congress MLA Alfred K Arthur, who is the joint Opposition candidate of the INDIA bloc.

Manipur saw a voter turnout of over 69 per cent on April 19.

The voting for the remaining 13 segments of Outer Manipur will be held in the second phase on April 26. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.