Our Correspondent
Imphal, March 8: Manipur witnessed more than 86 percent polling in 22 constituencies on the final day of the two-phase Manipur Assembly elections on Wednesday amid reports of scuffle between supporters of rival candidates.
Chief electoral officer (CEO) Vivek Kumar Dewangan told reporters on Wednesday evening that the voters' turnout figure would be revised once the input from about 25 percent of the polling stations were received.
He however informed that there would be a re-poll at 43/51 Aishi polling station under Phungyar constituency on March 10 next.
The voters’ turnout on Wednesday at 1151 polling stations spread across 8 hill districts and 2 valley districts was similar to that of the first phase poll on March 4 last, which had the highest voter turnout from the last three elections including two Lok Sabha polls.Wednesday’s polling will decide the fate of 98 candidates including chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, deputy chief minister Gaikhangam, three ministers M Okendro, D Korungthang and Manga Vaiphei and iconic rights activist Irom Sharmila, and three other women candidates.
Soon after casting his vote at Athokpam Makha Leikai polling station, Ibobi Singh accompanied by his wife, claimed that the Congress would get a clear mandate. Responding to a question on the Congress’ performance in the hill constituencies in the wake of economic blockade since November 1 last year, he said that his party was hoping to get at least 36 to 40 seats this time including the seats in the hill areas.
On the other hand, Irom Sharmila who is also contesting from Thoubal constituency said that she had received positive responses from the voters in Thoubal. Sharmila was seen visiting most of the polling stations with some armed Manipur Rifles personnel in three vehicles during the day’s polling.
The ruling Congress had won 15 of these 22 seats in the last assembly elections. The BJP which couldn’t open its account despite fielding 19 candidates last time is hoping to do better and projected candidates in all the constituencies.
Naga People’ Front put up 11, National People’s Party 7, Trinamool Congress 6, Lok Jan Shakti 5, Manipur National Democratic Front 4, Independendent 9, CPI and Irom Sharmila’s PRJA 2 each, and Manipur People’s Party and People’s Democratic Alliance one each.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has ordered re-poll in 34 polling stations including 12 in Saikul, 6 in Thanlon, 5 each in Andro and Henglep, 3 in Saitu, one each in Saikot Uripok and Singhat, spread across 8 Assembly Constituencies which went to polls in the first phase on March 4. Re-poll for this phase would be held on March 9 from 7 am till 3 pm.
Polling officer killed
A polling official, wounded in a bomb blast along with two Assam Rifles personnel on March 7, succumbed to the injuries on Wednesday, according to sources.
They were reported to have injured during three bomb explosions in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Tuesday afternoon. The bomb attacks were reported from Aishi and Ashang Khullen villages under Phungyar constituency.
The slain polling officer, H Ramkating was a primary school teacher at Ashang Khullen. Manipur government on Wednesday evening announced an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh to the bereaved family.
In a separate incident, 3 two-wheelers parked inside the compound of former Congress minister and National People’s Party candidate Phungzathang Tonsing’s house in Churachandpur was reportedly torched by an angry mob on Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile, the district authorities have taken up necessary security measures to ensure smooth conduct of the re-poll on March 9.
The district magistrate of Kangpokpi, T Ranjit Singh has promulgated fresh prohibitory orders within a radius of 100 metres from each of the 15 polling stations.
