Manipur Elections: Polling ends for first phase with 78.03% voter turnout till 5 pm

A Manipur Police personnel killed in a "suspected case of accidental firing" from his service rifle, said Chief Electoral Office (CEO) Rajesh Agarwal.

The incident took place in Tipaimukh assembly constituency in Churachandpur district. The police personnel was identified as Naorem Ibochouba, a resident of Kakching district, he said.

Amid reports of Manipur poll disruption in Keithelmanbi in Imphal West district, Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Agarwal on Monday said that the state Election Commission is examining whether or not to continue the polls as an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) machine has been found to have been broken.

Speaking with ANI, Agarwal said, "An incident of poll disruption has been reported in Keithelmanbi. This has led to a delay in the polling process. The EVM machine has been broken, and we`re examining whether to continue polls here today or go for a repoll." 

48.88% voter turnout till 1 pm

Dear voter let’s get the numbers higher.#ECI #ElectionCommissionOfIndia #CEOManipur #SVEEP #Election2022 #ManipurVotes2022 #CovidSafeElections pic.twitter.com/gqo74wpGsU

— The CEO Manipur (@CeoManipur) February 28, 2022

As of now, 33% voter turnout is recorded. An incident of poll disruption has been reported in Keithelmanbi. This 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: Rajesh Agarwal,CEO Manipur

Dear voters let’s be more participative.#ECI #ElectionCommissionOfIndia #CEOManipur #SVEEP #Election2022 #ManipurVotes2022 #CovidSafeElections pic.twitter.com/91yd5ORDRb

— The CEO Manipur (@CeoManipur) February 28, 2022

Long queues of voters outside polling stations in Manipur as voting for the first phase of Manipur Elections2022 continues.

Long queues of voters outside polling stations in Manipur as voting for the first phase of #ManipurElections2022 continues. Visuals from Chingmeirong Rongmei Upper Primary School in Imphal. pic.twitter.com/ByOmPm2dR3

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2022

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday urged the people of Manipur, especially the youth, to vote in large numbers in the ongoing polling for Manipur Assembly elections. Shah further said that the people in the state should come out and vote for a prosperous Manipur.

"I urge the people of Manipur, especially the youth, to vote in large numbers. Your one vote will keep this beautiful state free from insurgency, blockade and corruption. So come out and vote for a prosperous Manipur," tweeted Shah.

I urge the people of Manipur, especially the youth to vote in large numbers. Your one vote will keep this beautiful state free from insurgency, blockade and corruption.

So come out and vote for a prosperous Manipur.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 28, 2022

8.94% voter turnout till 9:30 am

8.94% voters turnout recorded till 9.30 am in the first phase of #ManipurElections2022 pic.twitter.com/G06Bq4ST3k

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2022

PM Narendra Modi on Monday urged all voters, especially the young and first-time voters to exercise their franchise. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "Urging all those voting today in the first phase of the Manipur Assembly elections to turnout in record numbers and cast their vote. I particularly call upon the young and first time voters to exercise their franchise." 

Manipur Deputy CM and NPP candidate from Uripok, Yumnam Joykumar Singh cast his vote. 

Manipur Deputy CM and NPP candidate from Uripok, Yumnam Joykumar Singh cast his vote in Naoremthong Upper Primary School in Imphal#ManipurElections2022 pic.twitter.com/9lZHIGPQdW

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2022

Manipur Governor La Ganesan votes at Tamphasana Girls' Higher Secondary School in Imphal. 

Manipur Governor La Ganesan votes at Tamphasana Girls' Higher Secondary School in Imphal

He says, "I appeal to all people of Manipur that they should exercise their franchise because in our country democracy is prevailing & sign of democracy is election."#ManipurElections2022 pic.twitter.com/pXQkALurcy

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2022

First phase Assembly elections underway in Manipur.

First phase Assembly elections underway in Manipur.

Visuals from Tamphasana Girls' Higher Secondary School in Imphal pic.twitter.com/xu6yI4q6iD

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2022

As many as 6,884 polling personnel have been deployed for the exercise. Arrangements for webcasting are in place and micro-observers have been deployed at sensitive polling stations.
Photo Voter Slip has been discontinued as identity proof and voters are required to produce documents approved by the Election Commission of India such as EPIC card, Aadhaar card, MNREGA job card, driving license and PAN card.

Covid-19 protocols for the voters, including use of face masks, sanitiser, social distancing and thermal screening, are being maintained.

The candidates include Manipur Chief Minister and BJP candidate N. Biren Singh, Cabinet Minster Thongam Biswajit Singh, NPP candidate and Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh, senior BJP leader Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Congress leaders -- Ratankumar Singh, Lokeshwar Singh, Saratchandra Singh and sitting party MLA Akoijam Mirabai Devi -- are at stake.

Firebrand women leader and Janata Dal (United) candidate, Thounaojam Brinda, who was the Manipur Additional Superintendent of Police (headquarters), is also contesting in the first phase of polling from the Yaiskul Assembly constituency.

CM and BJP candidate from Heingang, N Biren Singh casts his vote at Shrivan High School in Imphal.

CM and BJP candidate from Heingang, N Biren Singh casts his vote at Shrivan High School in Imphal.

He says, "I'm expecting that 75% people of my constituency will vote for BJP & me. BJP is expecting at least 30 out of 38 seats in the first phase. People of Manipur like PM Modi" pic.twitter.com/dgr5SxGxuj

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2022

CM and BJP candidate from Heingang, N Biren Singh arrives at Shrivan High School in Imphal to vote.

Imphal | CM and BJP candidate from Heingang, N Biren Singh arrives at Shrivan High School in Imphal to vote.

He says, "I request people of my constituency along with other voters to cast their valuable votes & use democratic power given by Constitution."#ManipurElections2022 pic.twitter.com/frFpok2WZS

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2022

Voting for the first phase of Manipur Elections begins; 173 candidates in 38 constituencies in fray. 

Voting for the first phase of #ManipurElections begins; 173 candidates in 38 constituencies in fray

Key candidates -CM N Biren Singh from Heingang, Speaker Y Khemchand Singh from Singjamei, Dy CM Yumnam Joykumar Singh from Uripok & state Congress chief N Lokesh Singh from Nambol pic.twitter.com/nZg8DYeLdQ

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2022

Preparations underway for the 1st phase of Manipur Assembly elections; visuals from Thangmeiband Khoyathong Tombisana High School, Imphal. 

Manipur | Preparations underway for the 1st phase of Manipur Assembly elections; visuals from Thangmeiband Khoyathong Tombisana High School, Imphal

"Security personnel is present in large numbers from Assam & Manipur, smooth polling is expected": Presiding Officer Dr Syed Ahmed pic.twitter.com/2XSCV30KN0

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2022

The high-octane poll campaigning in Manipur came to an end on Saturday. Elections for the 60-member Manipur Assembly will take place in two phases on February 28 and March 5.

Voting will begin at 7 am and will continue till 4 pm. The voters who are COVID positive or are under quarantine will be allowed to vote at the last hour, between 3 pm to 4 pm.

Notably, 381 polling stations will be completely manned by all-women polling personnel, while one polling station in Saikot will be manned completely by Person with Disability (PwD) polling personnel.

"A total of 12,09,439 voters including 5,80,607 male, 6,28,657 female and 175 transgender voters are in Phase-I who will exercise their franchise across 1,721 polling stations. There is a total of 10,041 PwD electors and 251 centenarian voters in these 38 assembly constituencies," Agrawal informed.

As per the Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur, Rajesh Agarwal, out of the total candidates, 39 candidates have criminal antecedents. Party-wise, the Bharatiya Janata Party has contested 38 contestants, while 35 are in the fray from the Indian National Congress. Janata Dal (United) has contested 28 candidates.

As many as 38 constituencies spread across five districts including Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, and Kangpokpi will go to polls in the first phase of Manipur Assembly elections on Monday.  A total of 173 candidates, including 15 females, are in the fray for the poll scheduled for today.

As many as 38 seats will go to the polls in the first phase while voting in 22 constituencies will take place in the second phase.