Manipur polls: 78.03% voter turnout recorded in first phase

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Feb 28 (EMN): The first phase of Manipur assembly election for 38 seats was held on Monday and it was peaceful except for stray incidents of EVM damages and preventive firing in the air by security personnel in some polling stations in Saitu, Henglep and Singhat constituencies.

The voter turnout was 78.03% as per reports available till 5pm, says Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajesh Agrawal in a press release after the polling. “Imphal East reported 76.64 %voter turnout while Imphal West recorded 82.19 %. Bishnupur recorded 73.44%, Churachandpur 74.45% while Kangpokpi recorded 82.19%,” he added.

EVMs damage by unknown miscreants was reported in seven polling stations at 46/54-Leplen under Saikul constituency, 51/46-New Keithelmanbi under Saitu constituency, 56/10-Maite and 56/19-Tinsuong under Thanlon constituency, 57/49-Leinom under Henglep constituency, 60/10-MT Geltam and 60/43-Maukot under Singhat constituency.

FIRs have been registered in all these cases.

Polling for 60/10-MT Geltam and 46/54- Leplen resumed with new sets of machines, it said.

In an unfortunate incident, one polling personnel deployed at polling station 55/1-Chingmun under Tipaimukh constituency died of BP stroke, it was informed.

The CEO said that there were complaints from certain political parties and candidates during the poll but majority of the issues were resolved and prompt actions were taken.

The first phase of polling will decide the fate of incumbent Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Deputy CM Y Joykumar and Assembly Speaker Y Khemchand who were seeking re-election from Heingang, Uripok and Singjamei assembly constituencies.

After transferring his voting constituency from Chennai to Sagolband in Manipur, the state Governor, La Ganesan, cast his vote at the TG Higher Secondary School (Western Wing), a model polling station with all women polling officials, under Sagolband constituency in Imphal West District.

 “We are still unable to fulfil maximum participation in the electoral process after the 75th years of our independence,” he said after casting his vote. On poll-related violence, the Governor said, it was very unfortunate and any form of violence should be avoided.

Biren Singh and his wife also cast their votes at the Srivan high school polling station under Heingang assembly constituency in Imphal East district.

The second phase polling will be held on March 5 in 22 seats and the counting of votes will be done on March 10.