Our Correspondent
Imphal, Feb. 1 (EMN): The election notifications for the first phase of assembly elections regarding 38 Assembly Constituencies of five districts -- Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi -- have been issued by the concerned returning officers on Tuesday, according to a press release.
The joint chief electoral officer, Ramananda Nongmeikapam in a press release said that the nomination papers will be accepted from Tuesday onwards till Feb. 8.
‘The scrutiny of nomination papers shall be taken up on Feb. 9, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be Feb. 11. No candidate has filed a nomination till 3 pm’, it stated.
In view of Covid, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has provided the facility of online nominations through the Suvidha portal. An intending candidate may submit an application online and its print may be taken for submitting before the returning officer.
Candidates may also deposit security money through online mode. However, they will continue to have the option of deposit in cash to the returning officer. They can also seek permission for meeting, door-to-door campaigns in online mode.
Besides, the number of persons to accompany a candidate for submission of nomination papers is restricted to two. Also, the maximum number of vehicles for the purpose of nomination is restricted to two. Adequate arrangements have been made at the offices of returning officers. Candidates and their companions shall abide by the norms specified by Election Commission and State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Training on online nomination was also provided to all the returning officers on Tuesday through video conferencing.
It may be mentioned that the first phase of 12th Manipur state assembly elections will be held across 38 assembly constituencies under five electoral districts on February 27. More than 12 lakh voters including more than 6 lakh females are expected to franchise their rights to elect their representatives. The second phase of assembly elections will be held at 22 assembly constituencies and six electoral districts on March 3, wherein a total of more than 8 lakh voters including more than 4 lakh women voters are expected to cast their votes.
Janata Dal announces first list of 30 candidates
The Janata Dal (United) which initially had plans to field 40 seats for the upcoming Manipur polls on Feb. 27 and March 3 announced its first list of 30 candidates on Tuesday.
The party’s first list included one sitting MLA, seven former legislators and the rest are mostly first timers. The lone sitting MLA was Kh Joykishan (Thangmeiband), who joined the party after he was suspended from Congress while the seven former legislators are Dr. Kh Loken (Sagolband), Kh Devendro (Sekmai), Ksh Biren (Lamlai), E Dwijamani (Hiyanglam), Ashab Uddin (Jiribam), Alexander Pau (Karong), and Hangkhanpau Taithul (Singhat).
Among them Dr. Kh Loken Singh, Ksh Biren Singh, and E Dwijamani joined JD on Jan. 31 after leaving their respective parties.
Speaking to media persons, JD Manipur president and former MLA, Hangkhanpao Taithul said that the party would go alone without having any pre-poll alliance in this election.
When asked how many seats his party expected this time after the election, he said that they are hoping to win at least two digit seats. He also informed that JD leader and Bihar CM, Nitish Kumar is planning to visit the state for the poll campaign after the last date of withdrawal of first phase nominations. "But we have to wait and watch the Covid situation in the state for it," he said.
Meanwhile, after announcing its first list of 20 candidates a week ago, the National People’s Party (NPP), a coalition of the Manipur government, released a second list of 13 candidates.
The list was released after the approval from the party's central election committee, according to NPP sources.
The second list of NPP includes four former legislators -- S Subhaschandra (Naoriya Pakhanglakpa), N Mangi (Kumbi), Kikhonbou Newmai (Tamei), and Janghemlung Panmei (Tamenglong).
The other candidates are L Sanjoy (Andro), A Oken (Sekmai), RK Rameshwar (Patsoi), Kh Jiban (Wangkhem), K Lhouvum (Saitu), Khanthang Tonsing (Thanlon), Nehminthang Haokip (Henglep), Khaipao Haokip (Saikot) and Khaibiaklian (Singhat).
On January 24, NPP announced its first list of 20 candidates including the deputy chief minister, Yumnam Joykumar (Uripok) with his colleagues L Jayentakumar, a former Health minister (Keishamthong), and N Kayisii, a former Fisheries minister (Tadubi).
On the other hand, the Manipur unit of Shiv Sena, also announced its first list of eight candidates including one former Deputy Speaker, TT Haokip (Henglep) on Tuesday. The other candidates are all new faces.
On January 22, the opposition Congress announced its first list of 40 candidates while the ruling BJP announced candidates for all 60 seats on Jan. 30. Naga People's Front also announced 10 candidates on January 31.