Manipur Polls: Voting in 2nd Phase Ends With 86% Voter Turnout
Nineteen lakh voters will be deciding the fate of a total of 98 candidates contesting in 22 constituencies.
- One person, injured in the bomb blast at Manipur’s Kamjong district on the eve of second phase of polling, died on Wednesday
- Two blasts were heard in Imphal that injured eight people
- 86 percent of voter turnout was recorded in Manipur till 5 pm
- Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is confident of a win
- Irom Sharmila, who has formed her own party – PRJA, and the CM, are contesting from Thoubal constituency
- A total of 98 candidates are contesting in these constituencies
Manipur on Wednesday witnessed a record turnout of 86 percent in the second and last phase of polling in 22 Assembly constituencies, the highest since 2009 general elections.
A blast was heard in Imphal bazaar after the polling ended that injured at least eight people.
The official said that the first phase polling, held on 4 March in 38 seats, recorded 86 percent turnout.
"The percentage of males who voted today was 84 percent. Female voter turnout was 89 percent. No boycott of polling was reported," Jain said.
The state had recorded overall 79.80 percent turnout in 2012.
One Succumbs to Manipur Bomb Explosion
A person on election duty, who was injured in the bomb blast at Manipur's Kamjong district on the eve of second phase of polling, died at the hospital on Wednesday.
State Chief Electoral Officer Vivek Kumar Dewangan expressed condolence at the death of Ramkating and released an ex-gratia amount of Rs 20,00,000 to his kin.
Those behind the explosion are yet to be identified.
Eight People Injured in a Blast in Manipur
A blast was reported place near Kasturi Bridge in Imphal Bazar few minutes after the voting for the second and final phase of election ended.
Eight people were injured in the blast, out of which two people were reportedly critical.
83 Percent Votes Cast in Manipur Till 3 PM
Manipur records a high voter turnout of 83 percent till 3 pm.
Manipur Chief Electoral officer Vivek Kumar Dewangan said the percentage was expected to go up as long queues are still visible outside several polling booths. “We are waiting for the final figures,” he told PTI.
Irom Sharmila Arrives to Cast Her Vote
Irom Sharmila, who has formed her own party – PRJA is contesting from Thoubal constituency.
First Time Voters
CM Okram Ibobi Singh Confident of a Win
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh cast his vote at polling booth 35/41 at Athokpam Makha Leikai PO in Thoubal. PRJA's Irom Sharmila is also contesting from this seat.
The Chief Minister’s son, Okram Surajkumar Singh who is contesting from the Khangabok constituency said:
Twin Blasts in Poll-Bound Kamjong District
A polling official and an Assam Rifles trooper were wounded in two bomb blasts by militants near the India-Myanmar border in Kamjong district of Manipur on Tuesday evening, the state police said.
Kamjong will vote in the second and final phase of the Assembly elections in the northeastern state on Wednesday.
The police said security personnel retaliated after both the blasts, but the unidentified militants escaped in the high mountains.
19 Lakh Voters to Decide Fate of 98 Candidates
Activist Irom Sharmila will take on Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh in the second and last phase of polling in Manipur today in 22 Assembly constituencies.
The first phase of the Assembly polls, covering 38 seats, registered an impressive voter turnout and all eyes are now trained on Thoubal constituency where Sharmila is pitted against the chief minister.
The state has a 19,02,562-strong electorate comprising 9,28,573 male and 9,73,989 female voters. There are around 45,642 new voters this time.
Big Names in the Fray
The second phase will seal the fate of almost all the big names in the state’s politics such as Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister M Gaikhangam, rights activist-turned politician Irom Chanu Sharmila and others.
The elections in Manipur this time are billed as a crucial test for the 15-year-old Congress regime, which is facing a stiff challenge from the BJP.
In the first phase, the political parties in their campaigns focused on the continuing economic blockade by the United Naga Council and the state government’s inability to lift it.
The other important issues exercising the minds of voters are the alleged lack of development, massive corruption, misappropriation of funds and worsening law and order situation in the state
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