Thangmeiband, Thongju go to polls today
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 20 2015 : With security personnel detailed for election duty already reaching their respective polling stations, the stage is set for the by-election to Thangmeiband and Thongju Assembly segments tomorrow.

Briefing media persons about the by-poll today, CEO O Nabakishore said that polling would begin at 7 am and continue till 4 pm.

He said that campaign period for the by-poll ended yesterday at 4 pm in accordance with the election model code of conduct.

Along with the expiry of the campaign hours, VIPs (political leaders) have been prohibited from going to the two Assembly segments.

In order to ensure that the election is held in accordance with rules, flying squads, surveillance teams and video teams have been monitoring all election related activities.

In addition to the three observers deputed by the Election Commission of India, micro-observers and sector Magistrates would be monitoring the election process, informed the CEO.

The four candidates in the fray

Appealing to all the voters to vote peacefully, Nabaki-shore informed that voters who are not in possession of elector identity cards may cast their votes by showing any one of the 12 identity proof documents recognised by the ECI.

All the polling stations where voting would be held tomorrow would be guarded by one section each of Central paramilitary forces.

After voting is over, all EVMs would be taken to the strong room and the room would be guarded by Central paramilitary forces.

Counting of votes would begin at 8 am of November 25 and there would be 10 tables each for Thangmeiband AC and Thongju AC.

Altogether 26,537 voters are likely to exercise their right to adult franchise at 41 polling stations in Thangmeiband AC while 28,214 voters may cast their votes at 45 polling stations spread across Thongju AC.

For the first time in the electoral history of the State, photographs of candidates would be displayed in the EVMs apart from assigning a symbol against NOTA key.

Notably, both Thangmei-band AC and Thongju AC are having triangular contest with Dr GA Tonsana of MDPF contesting in both the Assembly seats.

The other two candidates in Thangmeiband AC are BJP's Kh Joykishan and INC's Jyotin Waikhom.

In Thongju AC, BJP's Th Bishwajit and INC's Bijoy Koijam are heading for a close fight.

Incidentally, Th Bishwajit won the Thongju seat in the last Assembly election in 2012 by securing 10,299 votes as against 9696 votes received by his closest rival Bijoy Koijam.

With 7670 votes, Kh Joykishan was elected from Thangmeiband AC in the 2012 election ahead of Jyotin Waikhom who secured 6680 votes.