Imphal: In Manipur, 27.34 per cent of the 12.09 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 11 am on Monday for 38 seats in the first phase of the Manipur Assembly elections. There have been sporadic incidents of violence during polling. Election officials gave this information.
He said that in Manipur, polling is being held for 38 seats in five districts from 7 am following strict security arrangements and following the guidelines related to COVID-19. A total of 173 candidates, including 15 women, are in the fray in this election. Within half an hour of the commencement of polling, Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister N Biren Singh cast their votes in their respective constituencies and appealed to the people to exercise their franchise and maintain peace.
One person was injured in a clash between two political parties in a remote area of Churachandpur district, police said. An electronic voting machine was damaged in the clash, which has been replaced, the returning officer said. Congress workers allegedly ransacked a BJP booth in Kekwa area of Langthabal assembly constituency of Imphal West district while the vehicle of an NPP candidate was damaged by supporters of the opposition party from Keirao seat, though no one was injured in the incident. Has happened. 6,884 polling personnel have been deployed for the elections. Webcasting has been arranged and micro observers have been deployed in all sensitive polling stations.
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Officials said central forces, including state security forces, are on patrol. Voters were seen queuing up to vote following social distancing, but after the sun set, they were seen waiting for their turn in the shade. In some polling booths including Soibam Leikai in Imphal East district, people who exercised their franchise for the first time were felicitated by the election officials. Victor, who is exercising his franchise for the first time, said, “I hope that my vote will play a role in choosing a deserving representative.”
Prominent candidates who are trying their luck in the first phase of elections to the Manipur Legislative Assembly are Chief Minister, Assembly Speaker Y Khemchand Singh, Deputy Chief Minister and NPP candidate Yumnam Joykumar and Manipur Congress President N Lokesh Singh. Of the total 38 seats, 10 constituencies are in Imphal East, 13 in Imphal West, six each in Bishnupur and Churachandpur and three in Kangpokpi district.
Nine seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes and one for Scheduled Castes. BJP won all 38 seats, Congress 35, NPP 27, JD(U) 28, Shiv Sena seven, RPI (Athawale) six, LJP (Ram Vilas) three, Kuki National Assembly and Kuki People’s Alliance two- Candidates have fielded on two seats, 18 independents are also in the fray. Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Agarwal had said that out of the total 173 candidates, 39 had criminal history. It is noteworthy that the second phase of polling for the remaining 22 seats will be held on March 5, while the counting of votes will take place on March 10. (agency)