Two Killed in Poll Violence as Voting in Manipur Ends, 78% Turnout Recorded

1,274 polling booths have been made operational for the election, polling for which will continue till 4 pm.

The second phase of the Manipur Assembly elections began at 7 am on Saturday, 5 March.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/CEO Manipur)

Two people were killed in poll-related violence in Manipur where the second phase of Assembly elections were held on Saturday, 5 March, and total turnout was recorded to be 78.49 percent.

According to the report, one incident took place in Thoubal district while the second one happened in Senapati district.

According to India Today, an altercation at a polling station in Senapati district resulted in police allegedly resorting to firing. One person, identified as K Longvao has been killed in the incident while another person called V Saope was seriously injured.

BJP candidate for Karong Assembly constituency in Manipur reported the incident to the election commission and claimed that the duo was shot at without "proper reason".

Election commission officials said they are waiting for a report from the district election officer.

The second death in Thoubal was that of a BJP worker who was allegedly shot by a Congress supporter hours before the polls began, news agency PTI reported. The deceased was identified as 25-year-old L Amuba Singh.

Singh had visited the Congress worker's residence along with fellow party workers to tell him to stop campaigning for the polls, an officer told The Indian Express. Singh was shot at during the resulting altercation while BJP workers hurled stones and injured the Congress worker, who is yet to be arrested, the report added.

The second phase of the Manipur Assembly elections began at 7 am on Saturday and ended at 6 pm.

Former Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh Casts Vote

Former Manipur Chief Minister and Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh cast his vote early on Saturday morning, after a brief delay at the polling station due to a technical error. "They said that there is some technical error," Singh, who is contesting from Thoubal Assembly seat, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Visuals shared by the Election Commission showed citizens of the state lining up, masked, to exercise their franchise while adhering to the social distancing protocols.

In this phase, 22 Assembly constituencies across six districts are going to the polls with 92 candidates in the fray. A total of 1,274 polling booths have been made operational for the election. Polling will continue till 4 pm.

A total of 8,38,730 voters are eligible to cast their ballots on Saturday. There are more female voters during this phase than male voters – with 4,28,679 eligible women and 4,10,020 eligible male voters.

However, only two women candidates have been put up by parties among the 92 in the fray.

Parties and Candidates

The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contesting on all 22 seats. On the other hand, the Manipur Progressive Secular Alliance, headed by the Congress Party, is contesting on 19 seats.

The BJP and the Naga People's Front will be in a direct confrontation in the Chandel constituency. In Nungba, the fight is between the Congress and the BJP.

Former Manipur Congress Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and the former deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam Gangmei are notable candidates in this phase.

88.63% Voter Turnout in Phase 1

A maximum of 1,250 voters will be allowed in an electoral booth at a time, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said, keeping in view the COVID-19 situation in the country.

A voter turnout of 88.63 percent was recorded during the first phase of the Manipur election, conducted on 28 February, for 38 Assembly constituencies. A number of sporadic incidents of violence had also been reported during the election as well as damage to Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).

(With inputs from India Today and The Indian Express)