Our Correspondent
Imphal, Feb. 8 (EMN): The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Sushil Chandra on Tuesday said that the Election Commission of India is committed to conduct the upcoming elections in a free, fair, accessible, inclusive and inducement free manner.
Responding to a question at a press conference in Imphal, CEC Chandra also said, ‘We have met that organisation. They have explained their positions to us for rescheduling the first phase of the polling date. We will discuss it and take appropriate actions’.
It may be mentioned that All Manipur Christians Organisation, All Tribal Students' Union Manipur and even Congress party in Manipur appealed to reschedule the polling date regarding Phase I of the state assembly elections on February 27, which is a Sunday and worship day for the Christian community.
Chandra said that Election Commission Expressing that it is heartening to note that the state has 749 centenarian voters with Senapati district (110) having maximum number of centenarian voters, he said that the concerned officials have been directed to felicitate the centenarian voters, who can act as role models for youngsters. The Commission also took note that polling parties need to walk more than 20 kms to reach 17 polling stations of Tamenglong district.
Stating that as part of the Commission's initiative to provide a comfortable experience to women voters despite obvious logistics challenges, he informed that 487 polling stations of five assembly constituencies -- Singjamei, Thoubal, Yaiskul, Wangkhei and Churachandpur -- to be exclusively managed by all women officials, will be set up in Manipur.
Besides, there will be 115 model polling stations also in the state and the concerned officials have been directed to ensure availability of assured minimum facilities, CEC Sushil Chandra said. There are a total of 2968 polling stations in Manipur.
On Covid social distancing norms, he said that the commission has reduced the number of persons per polling stations from 1500 to 1250. With this particular reduction, 174 new polling stations have been created and officials have been directed to ensure proper signages and multiple entry and exit points at locations with more than one polling booth to avoid crowding.
Chandra, who was accompanied by Election Commissioners, Rajiv Kumar, and Anup Chandra Pandey, arrived in Manipur on Monday for a 2-day visit to review the status of poll preparedness for the ensuing 12th General Election to Manipur Legislative Assembly. They met representatives of national and state-recognised political parties and interacted with top civil and security officials of the state.