IMPHAL, March 3: Necessary arrangement has been made for the smooth conduct of the first phase of the two-phase Manipur Assembly elections tomorrow. The voting will be held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Being the first State to have 100 per cent voters ID cards along with Uttarakhand, Manipur will be the first State to use Smartphone-based recording system in all the 1643 stations.
“Voters can watch the live streaming of polling using 3G connectivity as polling stations, which will also be tracked using GIS, will be covered on Real Time using smart phones,” said Chief Electoral Officer Vivek Kumar Dewangan of State Election department. “Flying Squads will be tracked using GPS to check their status.”
Altogether 11,25,441 voters including 5,46,098 males and 5,79,343 females are expected to exercise their franchise across 38 assembly constituencies of the State’s 60 in six districts spreading across in hills and valley areas. Out of 1643 polling stations in the first phase, 256 were declared critical while 344 as vulnerable hamlets, 156 as vulnerable pockets.
For the first time, elections will also have photographs of candidates in EVMs. Besides, 11,915 outstation service voters will be using electronic postal ballot system for the first time in the history of Manipur election, the official said. For the first time, student volunteers of NCC, NSS and Bharat Scout and Guides will assist during the elections.
Special arrangements have also been made for senior citizens and differently-abled voters at all the polling stations, the official added. With three mobile applications–Sanadhan, Suvidha and Sugam prepared in-house for smooth conduct of the polls, CCTVs have been installed at 71 check posts out of which 46 are covered on On-line mode to monitor the movements of polling personnel etc.
The 38 Assembly constituencies covered in the first phase poll on March 4 include Khundrakpam, Heingang, Khurai, Kshetrigao, Thongju, Keirao, Andro, Lamlai, Wangkhei, Thangmeiband, Uripok, Sagolband, Keishamthong, Singjamei, Yaiskul, Sekmai, Lamshang,, Konthouja, Patsoi, Langthabal, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa, Wangoi, Mayang Imphal , Nambol, Oinam, Bishnupur, Moirang, Thanga, Kumbi, Saikul, Kangpokpi, Saitu, Tipaimukh, Thanlon, Henglep, Churachandpur, Saikot and Singhat.
Meanwhile, reports said most of the polling and security personnel have reached their respective places.
The second phase will be held across 1111 polling booths in ten districts on March 8 and followed by counting on March 8.
Border sealed: The border areas including Moreh, the border town, has been sealed in view of the elections while Eastern Army Commander, Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi had been reviewing the security situation in Manipur since Thursday.
On his arrival at Imphal, he was received by the Spear Corps Commander Lt Gen Anil Chauhan, who then accompanied him on an aerial recce of NH-37 and briefed him on the prevailing security situation, according to a press release.
“The Army Commander also visited important locations in the state including Gaidimganj, Bishenpur, Senapati and Mantripukhri where he was briefed by the General Officer Commanding of the Red Shield Division, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) and local commanders on the security challenges and the measures being implemented for ensuring a conducive atmosphere for conduct of free and fair elections,” says PRO Lt Col Ajay of Defence Wing, Imphal in the release.
The Army Commander interacted with officers and men and expressed satisfaction at the high levels of operational preparedness being maintained. He exhorted them to conduct people-friendly operations while remaining alert to the threats posed by activities of the insurgents, it added.
The visiting army Commander also greeted the people of Manipur ahead of Yaosang (Holi) celebrations and wished that the festival would bring in joy and prosperity.
