AMN /IMPHAL
Voting for the second and final phase of Manipur elections began today at 0700 hours in 22 Assembly constituencies of Manipur. The voting will continue till 1500 hours. However, there were problems of EVMs not functioning at Tamenglong district.
People started coming out in large numbers to vote as weather was clear. The candidates whose fates will be decided today include, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, Human Rights Activist, Irom Sharmila, Okram Surja Kumar son of Ibobi , Deputy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam.
A total of 98 candidates including four women candidates are in the fray. The candidates include 22 each of Congress and BJP, 2 CPI, 6 Trinamool Congress, 1 NCP, 12 recognised State political parties’ candidates, 24 registered but unrecognised parties’ candidates and 24 independent candidates. The second phase will cover, Thoubal , Kakching, Ukhrul, Jiribam, Chandel, Tengnoupal, Senapati, Kamjong , Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Noney districts.
A total of 3,81,381 male voters, 3, 93,091 female voters , 3738 male service voters and 1159 female service voters will exercise their franchise in 1151 polling stations. With 53,556 voters, Mao has the highest number of voters. Polling officials and security personnel have been despatched for poll related duties. A total of 280 companies of central paramilitary forces may be used for security of the polling stations. Five helicopters will be used for transporting officials and equipments. The first phase of elections was held on March 4 in 38 constituencies and a record turnout of 86.50 percent was recorded.