Newmai News Network Imphal | January 12 Manipur has registered significant rise in the number of voters, an increase of 86,674 as the state goes to poll on March 4 and 8 in two phases. A total of 18,93,783 people— 9,25,431 male and 9,68,312 female—are eligible to cast their votes in the scheduled polls. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) VK Dewagan today released the final photo electoral rolls of the 60 assembly constituencies at the Secretariat Conference Hall. “The Election Commission has assured to make optimal effort to ensure a peaceful Manipur election,” The CEO said at a press meet held after officially releasing the final photo electoral rolls. Additional special arrangement for all physically-challenged is being taken up for the ensuing polls, VK Dewagan said. He informed that election observers will come to the poll-bound state in the first week of February. “The EC has given recognition in this election to nine political parties functioning in the state, that is, seven national parties and two state parties,” he said. The national parties are All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), BJP, CPI, CPI (M), INC and NCP while the two state parties are Naga People’s Front (NPF) and People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA). Keishamthong and Singjamei are the two constituencies with smallest areas while Phungyar is the constituency with biggest area, the CEO said. He said 20 expenditure election observers have been appointed for the upcoming polls and that one observer will look after three constituencies each. The state is having 2,794 polling stations spread across 2218 locations in the 16 districts and also having a total of 11,915 service voters this assembly polls. “For the first time electronically transmitted postal ballot will be introduced in Manipur in selected 10 constituencies,” CEO Dewagan further informed. He also said issue of EPIC card will be recommended for the increased 86,93,783 voters on January 25, the National Voters’ Day.
