Poll dates re-scheduled; no polling on Sunday, rules ECI
First phase on Feb 28, second on Mar 5
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 10 2022:
The two-phase election to the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly has been re-scheduled on February 28 (first phase) and March 5 (second phase) .
A press release issued by ECI Secretary Sanjeev Kumar Prasad said that the dates of poll have been revised after considering inputs, representations, past precedents, logistics, ground situations and all facts and circumstances.
Notably, a team of the ECI visited the State on February 7 and 8 to review election preparedness and held interaction with political parties, Chief Secretary, DGP, State level officers, Chief Electoral Officer, District Election Officers, SPs, DG AR, other law enforcement agencies and other relevant stake holders.
A number of Church bodies under the aegis of the All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) had been urging the ECI to change the first phase of voting on Feburary 27 to a different date as it fell on a Sunday, a day meant for prayers and religious activities of the Christians.
The All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) too had chipped in and urged for a change in the polling date on the same ground.
Outdoor election meeting allowed in Manipur : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to allow outdoor physical meetings in Manipur as the Covid situation has improved, said Rajesh Agrawal, Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur while addressing the media here on Thursday at CEO office.
The meeting will be allowed up to 50 pc of the capacity of the Indoor Hall and 30pc of the open ground or as fixed by DEOs, he added.
The scrutiny for the first phase poll ended on Wednesday and 175 candidates including 15 women will be in the fray for 38 seats.
Symbol allotment and a list of contesting candidates will be prepared after the last date of withdrawal on Feb 11 .
The Commission is arranging 529 all-women polling stations in the State.
Further, 115 Model Polling Stations will also be established.
Agrawal said the Commission which visited the State also met with a delegation from All Manipur Christian Organization, and has heard their grievances, and assured that their concerns will be discussed and a decision will be communicated at the earliest.
The Christian bodies had been requesting the Commission not to conduct elections on a Sunday as it is a day for worship for Christians and the first day of poll falls on Sunday.
Airlifting plans have been made for polling stations and in case of any emergency, the Presiding Officers along with EVM/VVPAT machines will be airlifted from such identified Polling Stations.
Further, an Air ambulance will be deployed to airlift any person, in case of emergency/casualties, he added.
So far, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized 15826.58 grams of gold worth Rs 7.71 crore.
DRI also seized 15,86,800 cigarette sticks on Feb 6 worth Rs 3.1736 crore.
A joint operation conducted by DRI, Customs and State Police also made a seizure of 19,90,000 cigarette sticks on Feb 6 worth Rs 3.38 crore also.
The Income Tax Department made a total of Rs 1.475 crore so far.
Necessary procedures have been taken up under relevant extant laws for further investigation.
A total of 1284 acres of poppy cultivation has been destroyed so far by NAB, SAB and State Police, he said.
Flying Squad, Static Surveillance Teams, State Police and Excise Department have seized 29864.89 litres of liquor worth Rs.0.4175 crore.
Around 21817 polling personnel trained are completely vaccinated.
A total of 4751 precautionary Doses were administered to Polling Parties.
9500 Police personnel are vaccinated with Precautionary doses.
He said about 98.7pc and 84.5pc of Police personnel are given 1st Dose and 2nd Doses respectively.
A 24x7 Media Cell is monitoring social media and to take appropriate actions in case Political parties/ Candidates are indulging in spreading Fake news, Hate Speeches and such reports are sent to the CEO daily.
Strict vigil on suspected cases of Paid news is done by Media Cell.
All Social media pages of Candidates and Political parties are monitored on a real-time basis, he added .
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