Newmai News Network Imphal | March 7 The second and final phase polling in Manipur—11 constituencies each in the valley and hills— will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, in 22 constituencies spread over six districts, including Tamenglong district which is one of the most backward areas besides being the least populous district in the state. Thoubal constituency will be among the seats where incumbent Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh will face the electoral battle with rights activist Irom Sharmila and BJP’s nominee L Basanta Singh. All eyes are on Sharmila’s contest against Ibobi Singh in the home turf of the reigning Chief Minister. Three-time Chief Minister Ibobi Singh’s son Okram Surajkumar, 29, a first timer in political battle will contest the elections from Khangbok constituency which his mother and Congress MLA Okram Landhoni Devi won in the 2012 state assembly polls. This phase would be a litmus test for Congress leaders including Ibobi Singh and his deputy Gaikhangam. The districts going to polls in the final round of the two-phase polls are Thoubal, Jiribam, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tengnoupal, Kamjong, Senapati, Noney and Tamenglong. Senapati district’s Mao, which is the largest constituency in terms of voters, also figures in this phase. The maximum number of candidates is in Chandel constituency where seven candidates will contest for the seat. The fate of 98 candidates, including 29 crorepati candidates will be decided by 10,79,369 voters including 3,81,381 women in 1151 polling stations spread over Lilong, Thoubal, Wangkhem, Heirok, Wangjing Tentha, Khangabok, Wabagai, Kakching, Hiyanglam, Sugunu, Jiribam, Chandel(ST), Tengnoupal(ST), Phungyar(ST), Ukhrul(ST), Chingai(ST), Karong(ST), Mao(ST), Tadubi(ST), Tamei(ST), Tamenglong(ST) and Nungba(ST). This phase will decide the fate of 11 sitting MLAs in the valley and nine in the hills. Prominent contestants from INC are Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who is in the race from Nungba constituency, K Meghachandra, M Okendro, Th Debendra, D Korungthang, Victor Keishing, Preshow MK Shimray, DD Thaisi, Abdul Nasir. Manipur unit of Naga People's Fron (NPF) President Awangbow Newmai isalso in the fray in the second phase poll. L Basanta, Francis Ngajokpa, Z Kikhonbou Newmai, Samuel Jendai and Vunzagin Valte are BJP bigwigs in the second phase elections. The Congress and BJP have put up 22 candidates each for the fray. There are 2 CPI candidates, 6 Trinamool Congress candidates, 1 NCP candidate, 12 recognised state political parties’ candidates, 24 registered unrecognised parties’ candidates, and 24 independent candidates will contest the second and final round of the elections.
