76.62 pc polled in second phase: CEO
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 05 2022: Polling for the second phase of Manipur Assembly Elections ended on Saturday with 76.62 per cent of the 8,38,730 eligible voters turning out to exercise their franchise, said Manipur Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajesh Agrawal citing reports available from different constituencies till 5 pm.

In a statement, the CEO informed that of the total 22 constituencies that went to the polls on Saturday, Mao AC had the highest polling percentage of 86.78 per cent followed by Hiyanglam AC (86.31 per cent) while Tamei AC recorded lowest voting percentage (61.23 per cent) till 5 PM.

The final voting percentage will be notified after arrival of all polling parties, informed the statement.

The voting at majority of the polling stations was monitored through the webcasting at the control rooms of ROs, DEOs and CEO office.

CAPF personnel were deployed at polling stations to ensure security of voters.

In addition, micro-observers were also deployed in critical polling stations to monitor the overall poll process.

He also mentioned polling parties have started returning from their respective polling stations and EVMs are being deposited to the Strong Rooms, where three tier security systems are in place for guarding the same.

Security forces have been keeping strict vigil round the clock at Strong Rooms.

The scrutiny of Form 17 A and other documents will be conducted by returning officers in presence of General observers on Sunday.

Decisions on re-polls, if any, shall be decided accordingly, he added.

In addition, a total of 22 observers were deputed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for second phase of polls and they were mobile throughout the day witnessing polling at different polling stations.

Besides, three Special observers were also deputed by the Commission to monitor and supervise the poll process.

They were very satisfied with the arrangements at the polling stations and the participation of voters in a big way.

The polling in entire val ley area was peaceful.

In hill districts, there were 12 incidents of damage to EVMs by miscreants reported at 42/4, 42/13, 42/16,42/18,42/42 and 42/43 under Tengnoupal AC; 44/64 and 44/70 in Ukhrul AC; 45/26 and 45/31 under Chingai AC; 49/51 under Tadubi AC; and 47/49 under Karong AC.

FIRs have been registered.

The incident under Karong AC unfortunately got escalated leading to serious injury to two persons, who were immediately evacuated by chopper to Imphal for treatment.

However, one of them sadly succumbed on the way.

The other person is under treatment at RIMS Hospital, the CEO elaborated and expressed condolences over the demise of the deceased.

There were also few complaints from certain political parties and candidates during the poll.' However, majority of the issues were resolved, and prompt actions taken.

Re-poll for 12 polling stations of Phase I Assembly Constituencies also ended peacefully with a turnout of 77.62 per cent.

It may be noted that one polling station each in Khundrakpam and Saitu, three in Thanlon, five in Henglep and two in Singhat Assembly Constituencies went for re-polling on Saturday.

Rajesh Agrawal thanked people of Manipur for coming out in large numbers to exercise their democratic right in a peaceful manner, giving a real meaning to the Festival of Democracy.

He also thanked all the polling personnel, security personnel, booth level officers (BLO), PWD coordinators, ASHA Workers, Anganwadi workers for working tirelessly day and night to ensure free, fair, peaceful, participative, accessible and inclusive polls in the state.

Rajesh Agrawal continued that a total of 22 assembly constituencies including 10 in Thoubal, three each in Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong, two in Chandel and one in Jiribam went to the polls.

A total of 8,38,730 voters including 4,28,679 female and 31 transgender voters were eligible to exercise the franchise in the second phase.

There are a total of 4849 PwD electors and 480 Centenarian voters.

Out of a total of 1247 polling stations, 223 polling stations were completely manned by all women polling personnel.

In Thoubal Assembly Constituency, all the 40 polling stations were manned by women polling teams.

There were 39 model polling stations spread across different assembly Constituencies of six electoral districts in which Selfie booth and Photo Booth were also set up at 17 polling stations, said the CEO.

People turned out in large number and exercised their franchise to choose their representatives.

The centenarian voters and PwD voters were not exception as majority of them came out and cast their votes knowing the importance of each single vote.

The volunteers at the booth assisted them with wheelchairs, etc., for smooth voting experience.

Many elderlies, PwD and first-time voters were also felicitated by the polling teams at the booth.

The active participation of electors in this election has truly made these elections a festival of democracy, he opined.

The CEO maintained that to ensure COVlD safe election, adequate arrangements have been made in all polling stations.

All polling stations were sanitised one day before poll.

ASHA and Anganwadi workers were utilised at each polling station to perform thermal screening and queue management.

Marking of circles with minimum distance was also done to avoid crowding.

Besides, mask, glove, were provided to voters requiring the same.

The movement of EVMs was tracked with the help of e-Traccar App which was embedded in the mobile phones of polling personnel and sector officers.

Besides, e-Atlas app was used by polling teams which enables a polling personnel to report any sort of EVM malfunctioning or any untoward incident happening at the polling station.

This enabled the returning officer to take immediate corrective actions.

Arrangements for webcasting/videography were successfully made in majority of the polling stations.

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