The Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered repolling at 11 polling stations within the Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency on Saturday in response to incidents of violence during the Lok Sabha elections in Manipur. This decision follows disruptions that marred the initial voting process on Friday. The Lok Sabha elections are national elections to elect members of the lower house of the Indian Parliament.

The affected polling stations, located in the Imphal East and Imphal West districts, experienced mob violence and disruptions, resulting in the destruction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Consequently, the Manipur Chief Electoral Officer recommended declaring the previous polling void under Sections 58(2) and 58 (A) 2 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, leading the ECI to take action. The decision to conduct repolling was made in response to these incidents, including mob violence, riots, and booth capturing. Notably, unidentified individuals forcefully cast votes at one polling station, leading to significant unrest in the area.

Within the Inner Manipur constituency, six candidates are vying for the seat, with a contest primarily between Angomcha Bimol Akoijam of the Indian National Congress and Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Political parties have been active in their demands and condemnations, with the Congress alleging electoral malpractices and seeking repolling at several polling stations, echoing concerns raised by other members of the INDIA bloc. With attention focused on Manipur as it navigates these electoral challenges, the authorities have scheduled the repolling event for Monday.

Manipur has grappled with internet shutdowns amid ethnic tensions between the Meitei majority in the valley and the Kuki-Zomi-Mizo-Chin tribal communities in the hills since May 2023.