Newmai News Network
Imphal | March 8
An estimated 82 per cent voters’ turnout were witnessed on Wednesday in the second and final phase of Manipur polls which passed off relatively peaceful in 22 constituencies, barring some stray incidents of violence.
The voter turnout is expected to increase after the final official computation, official sources informed.
Polling in the 22 constituencies—11 each in the valley and hills—officially ended at 3 pm and 82 per cent (tentative) of the electorate exercised their franchise. The two-phase elections witnessed a high-stake contest between the Congress and BJP.
Chief Electoral Officer Vivek Kumar Dewangan said, “This is the highest voter turnout in the history of Manipur so far.”
Addressing media here after the polling, Dewangan also said the Manipur assembly election was the most peaceful election and the voter turnout record was the unique feature of this election.
Poll rigging in some polling stations of Chandel district was reported. EVMs were reportedly damaged in three polling booths of Chingai constituency and two in Chandel constituency. Another report from Chandel said unidentified armed persons reportedly damaged a polling station.
At Mantripantha polling station of Chandel constituency, two suspected militants disrupted voting for some time. Reports said a large number of voters who were outside the polling station overpowered the duo and later handed them over to police.
In Khangabok constituency of Thoubal district, a BJP polling agent was injured and hospitalised in a clash which took place between Congress and BJP workers. Incumbent Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh’s’s son, Okram Surajkumar, 29, a first timer in political battle was fielded from Khangbok constituency which his mother and sitting Congress MLA Okram Landhoni Devi won in the 2012 state assembly polls.
Meanwhile, armed persons reportedly kidnapped six Congress workers in Phungyar constituency of UKhrul. Some 30 armed men belonging to an outfit were also allegedly involved in a booth capturing attempt that took place in Ukhrul.
In Ukhrul, there were also reports of election slips being snatched by a woman, which were later recovered. The incident delayed the voters in the exercise of their franchise. Altogether five EVMs were reportedly destroyed in clashes between workers of two parties in the district, according to separate reports. Re-poll is likely to be held at the polling stations where EVMs were damaged.
In another incident, security personnel resorted to blank firing outside a polling station in Wangjing Tentha constituency where a clash took place between workers of Congress and CPI. The incident disrupted voting at the polling station.
In Tamenglong, the polling ended peacefully, barring some technical snags at some polling stations which delayed voting.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh cast his vote at a polling booth in Athokpam Makha Leikai of Thoubal constituency where the People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) party fielded rights activist Irom Sharmila against the three-time Chief Minister.
“The electorate will give a clear mandate in the election,” CM Ibobi Singh told newsmen while coming to the polling booth.
The second phase polls will decide the fate of 98 candidates, including 29 crorepati candidates. The constituencies which went to polls were 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).
The counting of vote will take place on March 11.
EC condoles death
of polling personnel
The Election Commission of India today condoled the death of a government primary school teacher of Ukhrul district in a blast incident yesterday.
Assistant Teacher of Ajay Primary School, H Ramkathing, who was on poll duty, was killed in the incident. The office of Manipur CEO has assured all assistance to the bereaved family. A Rs 20 lakh cheque was given to his family through the district Deputy Commissioner, officials said.
Two injured in grenade attack
Imphal, March 8 (IANS): Two women were wounded when suspected insurgents lobbed a Chinese-made hand grenade inside a pharmacy at Thangal market here on Wednesday, police said. The unidentified assailants escaped before police could rush to the spot. Hospital sources said the women, customers at the shop, were stable and out of danger.
Police suspect the grenade attack was carried out as a warning after the pharmacy owner did not cough up money despite an extortion demand. Almost all shops and pharmacies here get extortion threats from some armed groups.
