Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 27: The Election Commission has noticed some violent and extremist activities taking place in certain areas of the state of Manipur in the run up to the polling in that State. This has included attacks on personnel on polling duty.
While the Election Commission of India has taken all measures for free, fair and peaceful election in Manipur with full and fearless participation of voters, it is keeping track of the developing situation in the State, especially in some of the districts and constituencies.
The Commission has today once again directed the Election machinery in the State and the law and order authorities there to maintain maximum alertness and take the most stringent measures in order to ensure that peace during the polling is not affected and the election process is not vitiated.
However, the Commission has received certain concerns over the developing situation and as such, is keeping a direct watch over the situation in the State all the time and would take all measures that might become necessary to ensure free and fair polls.
Manipur will go to poll on Saturday to decide the fate of 281 candidates, including 15 women for 60 seats —general 40, scheduled cast one and scheduled tribe 19— spread over nine districts.
The Indian National Congress (INC) has fielded its candidates in all the 60 Assembly Constituencies and the PDF (People’s Democratic Front), an alliance of Manipur People’s Party (MPP), NCP and JD (U) has also put up 45 candidates, the second largest number of candidates next to INC to be fought in the 10th Manipur Assembly polls slated for January 28.
A total of 17, 41,540 electors—male 8, 51,540 and female 8, 90,041—will cast their votes in the single-phased general election 2012. Hours for voting will be from 7 am to 3 pm. The total number of polling stations in the nine districts is 2357. Polling stations are classified as normal, sensitive and hyper-sensitive. A total of 779 polling stations in both hill and valley districts have been declared hyper-sensitive.
As many as 350 companies ( 42, 000 jawans) of Central paramilitary force, including police personnel from other States are being deployed for the Manipur polls.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has also taken up for the first time to photograph every single voter in every polling booth to prevent impersonation of voters. However, every elector can cast his or her vote by producing either EPIC or other personal identification documents like Driving License, Income Tax Identity (PAN) card, Service Identity Cards, according to ECI.
Heavyweights like the present Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi of INC (Thoubal Constituency), O. Joy of MPP (Langthabal Constituency), former chief minister Radhabinod Koijam of NCP (Thangmeiband Constituency), Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Gaikhangam ( Nungba Constituency), DD Thaisii of INC (Karong Constituency) and Y. Irabot of INC (Wangkhei Constituency) are also in the fray.
Counting of votes will begin from March 6 and the electioneering process will be completed on March 9.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ec-directs-authorities-to-maintain-alertness-election-to-be-held-today/
