Footage of a 25-second video assures a view of chaos near the polling booth in Manipur this morning, with loud gunshots can be heard in it. The clip is also controversial as the scream is unmatched by the speed of the following shots, which send across a possibly revenging message. This is followed by a clip of bullets fired, possibly from an automatic rifle, and the individual filming immediately runs and resorts for safety behind a doorway. The reason is that the exchange endures for 10 difficult seconds before it is over.
The precise constituency, whether Inner Manipur or Outer Manipur, where the incident occurred remains unclear. In the 2019 elections, BJP’s Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh clinched victory in the Inner seat and is re-contesting. Meanwhile, the Outer seat, reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates, was won by Naga People’s Front leader Kachui Timothy Zimik, who is also seeking re-election. Notably, the NPF is an ally of the BJP in this electoral race.
Unlike any other state in our country, Manipur in the NE has been rocked by violence and violence in the past year since the very month to come. As a consequence of numerous ethnic clashes, there are reported about 200 killed, and tens of thousands of people have been made homeless. Therefore, in-person voting and on-premises ballot boxes are no longer applicable. Instead, only advanced security measures are allowed, such as voter identification, card access, and delicate secure boxes for presidential ballots. Among total 28 Assembly constituencies of Outer Manipur, exactly 15 will conduct polling on April 26.
To address the needs of the displaced voters, the Election Commission has opened designated polling booths, which are recorded in 22 booths in Churachandpur district and 24 in Kangpokpi. These performative actions aim to provide a favorable environment where people can fully participate in the democratic process despite the political and security uncertainties contributed by previous violence.
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