2022 Manipur Elections: 78.03% Voter Turnout Till 5 pm Amid Sporadic Violence
Catch all the live updates on the first phase of the Manipur Assembly polls here.
Manipur Elections 2022 Phase 1 Voting Live: Over 12 lakh voters will decide the fate of the 173 candidates, out of which 15 are women, in this phase.
(Photo: Aroop Mishra/The Quint)
A voter turnout of 78.03 percent was recorded till 5 pm, as voting in the first phase of Manipur elections was held on Monday, 28 February.
This phase saw 38 of Manipur's 60 Assembly seats in the fray.
At least one person was injured in a clash between two parties in Churachandpur district, a PTI report said. An EVM was damaged, and was later replaced.
Over 67% of the 12 lakh eligible voters cast their votes to decide the fate of 173 candidates, out of which 15 are women.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is hopeful of retaining power in the state, but the saffron party, besides its old rival Congress, also faces competition from ally-turned-foe National People's Party (NPP).
The NPP is headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and is proving to be a major challenger in the state.
38 out of Manipur's 60 Assembly seats are in the fray in phase one
Over 12 lakh voters will decide the fate of the 173 candidates, out of which 15 are women
The BJP has fielded candidates in all the 38 seats while the Congress is contesting 35, the JD(U) 28, and the NPP 27
Some of the key constituencies in this phase are Heingang, Lamlai, Yaiskul, and Bishenpur
A JD(U) candidate, Wanglembam Rojit Singh, who is contesting from Kshetrigao Assembly constituency, was shot at late on Saturday night by unknown armed persons in Imphal East district
The second phase of polling for the remaining 22 seats will be held on 5 March, and the votes will be counted on 10 March
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Manipur Phase 1 Voting Live: 21 Percent of the 173 Candidates Have Criminal Cases Against Them
At least 21 percent of the 173 candidates in the fray for the first phase have criminal cases against them, according to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) data.
Manipur Phase 1 Voting Live: 54 Percent of the Candidates Have Assets Over 1 Cr
A total of 54 percent (143 out of 265) candidates have declared assets worth over Rs 1 crore.
Manipur Phase 1 Voting Live: Polling Begins
Voting for phase 1 of Manipur elections begins. A total of 173 candidates to contest from 38 constituencies.
PM Modi Urges People in Manipur to Vote in Record Numbers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday morning, urged people in Manipur to turnout in record numbers and cast their vote.
Key Candidates
Chief Minister N Biren Singh: The former footballer and journalist will be contesting from his traditional home seat of Heingang constituency of Imphal East. Biren Singh has won four successive terms from Heingang and is seeking his re-election for the fifth term.
PWD Minister Th Biswajit Singh: A former Trinamool MLA who had joined the BJP in 2015 following a by-election will be contesting from Thongju.
Govindas Konthoujam Singh: The former Manipur Congress chief, who recently joined the BJP, was successful in getting a ticket to contest from Bishenpur.
Congress State President Nameirakpam Loken Singh: Singh is seeking re-election from the Nambol constituency, and recently declared that the party is confident of bagging 32 seats and returning to power.
Other key candidates are Speaker Yumnam Khemchand Singh (BJP), senior minister Thongam Biswajit Singh (BJP), Deputy CM Yumnam Joykumar Singh (NPP), former minister Nemcha Kipgen (BJP), and Sheikh Noorul Hassan (NPP).
Key Constituencies
Heingang – The Imphal East district seat was won by BJP’s Nongthombam Biren Singh by defeating Pangeijam Saratchandra Singh from All India Trinamool Congress with a margin of 1,206 votes.
Lamlai – Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu’s village Nongpok Kakching falls under this constituency. The village which still does not have drinking water supply, or proper roads, has around 85 households with nearly 300 voters. Five candidates belonging to BJP, Congress, Republican Party of India (Athawale) (RPI (A)), JD (U) and an Independent are in the fray for the Lamlai seat.
Yaiskul – BJP's Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Manipur's law minister, had won this seat in 2017. He will face JD (U)'s Thounaojam Brinda, a decorated former police officer who was a part of the 2012 batch of the Manipur Public Service Commission cadre. Congress and NPP are also in the poll fray.
Bishenpur – BJP MLA Konthoujam Govindas has been winning this seat since 1995 on a Congress ticket. However, after being made the chief of the Manipur Congress unit in December 2020, he resigned as a Congress MLA in July last year to join BJP.
The 6-time MLA had registered a comfortable victory against BJP’s Konthoujam Krishna Kumar Singh in the 2017 election, defeating the latter by 5,278 votes.
CM Biren Singh Arrives at Shrivan High School in Imphal to Vote
Chief Minister (CM) and BJP candidate from Heingang, N Biren Singh arrived at Shrivan High School in Imphal to vote.
He was quoted as saying, "I request people of my constituency along with other voters to cast their valuable votes and use democratic power given by the Constitution," ANI reported.
‘Every Single Vote Is Precious’: BJP Minister Biswajit Singh
PWD Minister Th Biswajit Singh said in a tweet on Monday morning, "As the first phase of polling takes place today, urging all eligible voters especially all youth of Manipur to participate in this festival of democracy and vote in record numbers at the 38 assembly constituencies. Every single vote is precious for future of the State!"
He later shared a photo with his wife after casting their vote.
Manipur CM Biren Singh Casts His Vote
CM and BJP candidate from Heingang, N Biren Singh cast his vote at Shrivan High School in Imphal.
He said, "I'm expecting that 75 percent people of my constituency will vote for BJP and me. BJP is expecting at least 30 out of 38 seats in the first phase. People of Manipur like PM Modi."
In Photos: Early Voters Arrive at Polling Booths To Cast Their Vote
Early voters arrived at polling booths to cast their vote.
Manipur Governor La Ganesan Casts His Vote in Imphal
Manipur Governor La Ganesan cast his vote at Tamphasana Girls' Higher Secondary School in Imphal.
He said, "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."
‘You Deserve Better’: Congress Asks Manipur to ‘Go Vote'
Sharing a poster with the message, "Manipur will choose those who will ensure citizens constitutional rights and guarantee civil liberties", the Indian National Congress (INC) said in a tweet on Monday, "You are free. You are equal. You deserve better. Manipur, go Vote!
NPP Candidate From Uripok, Yumnam Joykumar, Casts His Vote
Manipur Deputy CM and NPP candidate from Uripok, Yumnam Joykumar Singh cast his vote in Naoremthong Upper Primary School in Imphal.
CM Biren Singh Shares Photo of Inked Finger
After casting his vote, Chief Minister Biren Singh shared his photo and said, "It gives me immense pleasure to cast my vote today. I urge all those voting today to turnout in record numbers and cast your valuable vote."
11.68 Percent Voter Turnout Till 9 am
A voter turnout of 11.68 percent was recorded till 9 am, according to the data by Election Commission.
Here's the district-wise turnout:
Bishenpur - 14.37%
Churachandpur - 4.97%
Imphal East - 10.39%
Imphal West - 14.31%
Kangpokpi - 15.78%
Felicitation of First Time Voters
The Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur, shared photos of first time voters being felicitated.
27.34 Percent Voter Turnout Till 11 am
A voter turnout of 27.34 percent was recorded till 11 am, according to the data by Election Commission.
Here's the district-wise turnout:
Bishenpur - 29.66%
Churachandpur - 16.68%
Imphal East - 26.66%
Imphal West - 31.60%
Kangpokpi - 32.62%
In Photos: Polling Underway for Manipur Assembly Elections
Clashes Reported in Churachandpur District
At least one person was injured in a clash between two parties in the Churachandpur district, EastMojo reported.
Further, an EVM was damaged, which 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 seat, although no injuries were reported.
'Disruption Reported in Keithelmanbi': Chief Electoral Officer
Rajesh Agarwal, the Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur, informed that "an incident of poll disruption has been reported in Keithelmanbi. This has led to a delay in polling process," news agency ANI reported.
He added, "EVM machine has been broken, we're examining whether to continue polls here today or go for a repoll."
48.88 Percent Voter Turnout Till 1 pm
A voter turnout of 48.88 percent was recorded till 1 pm, according to the data by Election Commission.
Here's the district-wise turnout:
Bishenpur - 50.48%
Churachandpur - 40.37%
Imphal East - 46.11%
Imphal West - 52.15%
Kangpokpi - 61.30%
Manipur Polls Phase 1: 67.53% Voter Turnout Till 3 pm
A voter turnout of 67.53 percent was recorded till 3 pm, according to the data by Election Commission.
Manipur Polls Phase 1: 78.03% Voter Turnout Till 5 pm
78.03 percent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase of the Assembly polls in Manipur as of 5 pm on Monday.