Manipur Election 2022 voting: Sporadic violence mars first phase, 78.03 % turnout recorded

A Manipur Police personnel, who was on poll duty on Monday, was killed in a "suspected case of accidental firing" from his service rifle during the first phase of assembly elections to 38 seats in the northeastern state, Chief Electoral Office (CEO) Rajesh Agarwal said. The incident took place in Tipaimukh assembly constituency in Churachandpur district. The police personnel was identified as Naorem Ibochouba, a resident of Kakching district, he said.

Violence marred the first phase of Manipur assembly elections to 38 constituencies on Monday even as 67.53 per cent of around 12.09 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 3 PM, election officials said. Naorem Ibochouba, a state police personnel deployed for poll duty in Tipaimukh assembly constituency in Churachandpur district, died in a "suspected case of accidental firing" from his service rifle, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajesh Agarwal said.

Incidents of violence marred elections to 38 assembly constituencies in the first phase of Manipur assembly polls on Monday even as 48.88 per cent of around 12.09 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 1 PM, election officials said.

Kangpokpi district recorded the highest voters' turnout at 61.30 per cent. Imphal West district, which has the highest number of constituencies, registered 52.15 per cent polling, while Imphal East reported 46.11 per cent voting.

Voting will continue till 4 pm in Manipur today. The voters who are COVID positive or are under quarantine will be allowed to vote at the last hour, between 3 pm to 4 pm.

Police officials in Imphal said that at least one person was injured in a clash between the workers of two rival political parties in Churachandpur district.

An Electronic Voting Machine was damaged by some people at Singhat and it was later replaced.

Congress workers allegedly damaged a BJP polling booth in Kakwa area in Langthabal constituency in Imphal West district, while a vehicle of a National People's Party candidate was damaged by workers by the members of the rival group in Keirao seat, though none was injured in the incident.

Amid reports of Manipur poll disruption in Keithelmanbi in Imphal West district, Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Agarwal on Monday said that the state Election Commission is examining whether or not to continue the polls as an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) machine has been found to have been broken.

Speaking to ANI, Agarwal said, "An incident of poll disruption has been reported in Keithelmanbi. This has led to a delay in the polling process. The EVM machine has been broken, and we're examining whether to continue polls here today or go for a repoll."

Reportedly, clashes had broken out between Congress and the BJP supporters in Keithelmanbi after the Opposition party raised allegations of booth capturing.

A total of 173 candidates, including 15 females, are in the fray for the poll.

Manipur records 48.88% polling on 38 seats till 1 pm  

"As of now, 33% voter turnout is recorded. An incident of poll disruption has been reported in Keithelmanbi. This has led to a delay in polling process. EVM machine has been broken, we're examining whether to continue polls here today or go for a repoll," says Rajesh Agarwal, CEO Manipur

Manipur records 27.34% polling on 38 seats till 11 am 

As polling for the first phase of Manipur Assembly elections is underway, State Election Commission on Monday informed that the voter turnout touched 11.68 per cent in the state till 10 am. 

Kangpokpi at 15.78 per cent and Bishnupur and Imphal West at 14.37 and 14.31 per cent respectively recorded the highest voter turnout so far, while Churachandpur with 4.97 per cent recorded the lowest.

A total of 38 Assembly constituencies spread across five districts, Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, and Kangpokpi are undergoing polling today.

8.94% voters turnout recorded till 9.30 am in the first phase of Manipur elections

Manipur records 7.26% polling till 9 am 

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh cast his vote at Shrivan High School in Imphal as voting for Manipur Assembly polls got underway on Monday. Singh is contesting from his traditional home seat, Heingang constituency in Imphal East. Notably, the Chief Minister is seeking the fifth term in the state.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Singh expressed confidence that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be voted to power in the state. He said, "The BJP is expecting at least 30 out of 38 seats in the first phase. People of Manipur like Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

"I request people of my constituency along with other voters to cast their valuable votes and use democratic power given by Constitution," he added.

Voting for the first phase of Manipur elections begins; 173 candidates in 38 constituencies in fray

Prominent BJP candidates fighting for the first phase include chief minister N Biren Singh (Heingang seat), assembly speaker Y Khemchand Singh (Singjamei), ministers Th Biswajit Singh (Thongju), S Rajen Singh (Lamsang), O Lukhoi Singh (Wangoi), and Vungzagin Valte (Thanlon).

Manipur's first phase polls cover 29 seats in the valley districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, and Bishnupur. The rest - Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and Pherzawl - are in the hill districts.

Hours before the Manipur assembly polls get underway, Congress on Sunday night expelled its candidate for Wangoi AC, Salam Joy Singh, from the primary membership of the party with immediate effect on disciplinary grounds.

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee working president T Mangibabu Singh on Sunday evening issued an order to this effect.

As per the order, Congress found "prima facie evidence" against Singh for breach of “disciplinary rules”.

In the 2017 Manipur Assembly elections, Congress emerged as the single largest party winning 28 seats followed by the BJP which settled with 21 seats.

The National People's Party (NPP) and Naga People's Front (NPF) bagged four seats each while the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) managed to secure only one constituency. BJP bagged 36.28 per cent vote share while Congress received 35.11 per cent of the total vote.

Later, BJP stitched a coalition with the NPP, NPF and LJP to form the government under the leadership of Biren Singh. 

This time, the BJP decided to go solo and is contesting all 60 seats alone

On the other hand, Congress has formed an alliance of six political parties and named it Manipur Progressive Secular Alliance (MPSA). The coalition partners in MPSA include Congress, Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Forward Bloc, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and Janata Dal (Secular).

Elections for the 60-member Manipur Assembly will take place in two phases on February 28 and March 5. As many as 38 seats will go to the polls in the first phase while voting in 22 constituencies will take place in the second phase.

Since the Election Commission of India (ECI) has discontinued Photo Voter Slip as an identity proof, voters shall require to produce one of the 12 identity documents approved by the Commission, including Aadhaar Card, MNREGA Job Card, Passbooks with photographs issued by Bank/Post Office, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour, Driving License, PAN Card etc.

Voting will begin at 7 am and will continue till 4 pm. The voters who are COVID positive or are under quarantine will be allowed to vote at the last hour, between 3 pm to 4 pm.

A total of 12,09,439 voters including 5,80,607 male, 6,28,657 female and 175 transgender voters are in Phase-I who will exercise their franchise across 1,721 polling stations.

There is a total of 10,041 PwD electors and 251 centenarian voters in these 38 assembly constituencies

A total of 173 candidates, including 15 females, are in the fray for the first phase of Manipur polls, scheduled for today.

Party-wise, the Bharatiya Janata Party has contested 38 contestants, while 35 are in the fray from the Indian National Congress. Janata Dal (United) has contested 28 candidates.