new Delhi: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajesh Aggarwal said that 78.03 percent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm on Monday in the first phase of assembly elections in Manipur.
The highest polling percentage of 76.74 per cent was recorded in Kangpokpi district. Imphal West district, which has the highest number of constituencies, recorded 70.21 per cent voter turnout, while Imphal East recorded 65.81 per cent voter turnout.
Officials said the polling in the first phase may cross the 86 per cent polling percentage of the 2017 assembly elections, the highest ever recorded in the state.
Voting took place in 38 seats in five districts of Manipur. A total of 173 candidates, including five women, are in the fray in the election. Of the total 173 candidates, 39 have criminal history.
Voting began at 7 am at 1,721 polling stations following tight security arrangements and COVID-19 guidelines.
Meanwhile, in a suspected case of “accidental firing” from a service rifle, Naorem Ibochouba, a state police jawan posted for election duty in Churachandpur district’s Tipaimukh assembly constituency, died in a suspected case of “accidental firing”, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajesh Agarwal said.
At least one person was injured in a clash between two political parties in Churachandpur district. One EVM was damaged, which was later replaced.
Alleged Congress workers vandalized a BJP polling booth in Kakwa area of Langthbal constituency of Imphal West district, while supporters of a rival group damaged a vehicle of an NPP candidate in Keirao assembly seat, though no one was involved in the incident. was not injured.
Security forces fired blank rounds to control the crowd at the New Keithelmanbi polling station in Kangpokpi district. This situation arose when the Congress accused the BJP of trying to capture booths.
After being disrupted for a few minutes, normalcy was restored and voting resumed. Officials said no one was injured in the incident.
Police registered a case after an angry mob indulged in “electoral offenses and harm with common intention by using firearms” at Funal Maring village of Imphal East district.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed that the youth went to Churachandpur district to exercise their franchise, only to find that their vote had already been cast.
He tweeted, “Young Denis Lalienzuol, a resident of Churachandpur, went to the polling station today to exercise his democratic right, but found that his vote has already been cast! This is not an isolated incident of misconduct.”
Denis Lalinzuol, a young man from Churachandpur, went to the polling station today to exercise his democratic right, and found out that his vote had already been cast! This is not the only incident of misconduct @Ceomanipur @spokesperson pic.twitter.com/Is3YqeYhHP
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 28, 2022
6,884 polling personnel have been deployed for polling. Officials said central forces along with state security forces are patrolling and dominating the area to instil confidence among voters.
Voters initially waited patiently for their turn in chalk-marked circles while maintaining social distancing. However, as the sun rose on their heads, many took refuge in the shadows, waiting for their turn to cast their votes.
In some polling stations, including Soibam Leikai in Imphal East district, first-time voters were honored by election officials.
(with PTI inputs)