Manipur First Phase Elections: 78.03% Voter Turnout till 5 pm, Cop on Poll Duty Killed in 'Accidental Firing'

Manipur recorded a voter turnout of 78.03 per cent till 5 pm, with the highest turnout so far in Kangpoki at 82.97 per cent, followed by Imphal West at 82.19 per cent and Imphal East at 76.64 per cent. The final voter turnout will be released tomorrow.

A police personnel, who was on poll duty on Monday, was killed in a “suspected case of accidental firing” from his service rifle in Churachandpur district, chief electoral officer Rajesh Agarwal said. The incident took place in Tipaimukh assembly constituency. The police personnel was identified as Naorem Ibochouba, a resident of Kakching district, he said. Agarwal condoled his death and said his body has been airlifted to Imphal and sent to a state-run hospital for autopsy.

Incidents of violence marred elections to 38 assembly constituencies in the first phase of Manipur polls on Monday even as 67.22 per cent of around 12.09 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 3 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. At least one person was injured in a clash between two political parties in Churachandpur district. An EVM was damaged, and it was later replaced. Alleged Congress workers vandalised a BJP polling booth in Kakwa area in Langthabal constituency in Imphal West district, while a vehicle of an NPP candidate was damaged by supporters of a rival group in Keirao assembly seat, although nobody was injured in the incident. PTI

Rajesh Agarwal, CEO Manipur said that an incident of poll disruption has been reported in Keithelmanbi. “This (incident) 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,” he said. So far, 33% voter turnout has been recorded in the state.

Long queues of voters were seen outside polling stations in Manipur as voting for the first phase of Manipur Elections 2022 continues. Visuals from Chingmeirong Rongmei Upper Primary School in Imphal.

Thounaojam Brinda, who is challenging the Law Minister Thokchom Satyabrata Singh in the Manipur assembly elections, said that she will infuse “much needed change” in state politics. “I am the face for change in politics and I shall infuse the much needed fresh air in the state politics,” the former Manipur Police Super Cop said. She had been famous for taking action against the drug mafia in the state. Thounaojam Brinda is contesting against BJP’s incumbent MLA and current Manipur law minister Thokchom Satyabrata Singh on a Janata Dal (United) ticket.

Ace boxer Mary Kom’s husband, Karong Onkholer casts his vote at the Sub-Divisional Office complex in Samulamlan village, as polling for the first phase of Manipur assembly elections is underway. Onkholer is contesting the assembly election as an independent candidate from the Saikot (ST) assembly constituency in Churachandpur district of the state. After casting his vote Onkholer appealed to the people to exercise their right of franchise. Onkholer said he had not taken any support from his wife Mary Kom during the campaigning as he wanted her to concentrate fully on sports. Mary Kom, however, did not turn up to cast her vote as she is training in New Delhi.

Still not open to public officially after it was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the INA Memorial here, where the flag of the Indian National Army was first unfurled on April 14, 1944, has been drawing “VIP visitors” and political workers who pay floral tributes before they go on campaign trails. Away from national capital Delhi where the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose made a buzz in January, people at the main market of this small town, which is just a few metres away from the INA Memorial, are busy juggling between earning a living and participating in election activities, with little time to celebrate the iconic freedom fighter.

Manipur Deputy CM and NPP candidate from Uripok, Yumnam Joykumar Singh cast his vote in Naoremthong Upper Primary School in Imphal.

Manipur Governor La Ganesan votes at Tamphasana Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Imphal. “I appeal to all people of Manipur that they should exercise their franchise because in our country democracy is prevailing and sign of democracy is election,” he said.

Manipur CM N Biren Singh casts his vote at at Srivan High School in Heingang assembly seat. Singh exuded confidence that he will become CM for the second term. “I shall get 75 percent of the votes in my constituency. We will get 30 out of the 38 seats going to polls today… I am confident that I shall be the CM for the second time,” he said.

CM and BJP candidate from Heingang, N Biren Singh arrives at Shrivan High School in Imphal to vote. “I request people of my constituency along with other voters to cast their valuable votes and use democratic power given by Constitution,” he said.

A total of 12 lakh voters, including 6,28,657 females and 175 transgenders, are eligible to cast their votes across 1,721 polling stations in five districts — Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. The first phase of polling on Monday will decide the fate of 173 candidates, including 15 women contestants.

Thirty-eight of the 60 seats in Manipur is voting amid tight security in the state, where the BJP-led alliance is hoping for a second term in power. The first phase of polls covers 29 seats in Manipur’s valley districts — Imphal West, Imphal East, and Bishnupur. The rest are in the hill districts of Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and Pherzawl.