279 in fray, 17 lac voters to seal fate of land today
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 27, 2012: Altogether 17,41,581 voters would exercise their adult franchise tomorrow to decide the fate of 279 candidates contesting in the 60 Assembly Constituencies.

In the meantime, 121 different incidents related to elections have been recorded so far while eight people including security personnel have been killed.

Speaking to media persons at the conference hall of the Old Secretariat today, Chief Electoral Officer PC Lawmkunga conveyed that both polling personnel and security personnel have moved to their respective stations.

Altogether 17,41,581 voters (8 ,51,540 males and 8,90,041 females) including 8723 service voters would cast their votes tomorrow at 2357 polling stations including 8 auxiliary polling stations in Churachandpur and Ukhrul district.

Chandel AC has the highest number of polling stations at 69 while Singjamei AC has the lowest number of polling stations at 23. With 52,128 voters, Mao AC has the highest number of electorate whereas Tipaimukh AC has the lowest number of voters at 17,487. Reiterating that each and every voter would be photographed at all polling stations, the CEO informed that the polling process in 60 selected polling stations of valley districts would be webcasted live.

For this, power generators have been arranged at all the 60 polling stations to cope with power failure.

Since the day election notification was issued, 121 different incidents related to elections have been recorded, and in the meantime, eight people including security personnel have been killed while 38 others sustained injuries.

In addition to Rs 1.5 crore seized by Income Tax and other agencies in connection with the election, another Rs 45,000 was also seized today.

On the other hand, security forces seized 30 firearms and 770 live rounds.

43,980 litres of liquor, 380 mg of drug and 360 numbers of SP capsules were also seized.

Moreover, one MI-17 helicopter has been stationed at Imphal for emergency purposes and transportation of EVMs and polling personnel from remote polling stations after the polling is over.

Four more Chetak helicopters have also been stationed at Leimakhong.

Of the total number of voters, Muslims comprise 8 per cent, Scheduled Tribes 36 per cent and Scheduled Caste less than one percent while the remaining voters are Meiteis.

Informing that arrangements have been made to confine cadres of SoO groups in their designated camps and allow them to vote through postal ballots, the CEO said that.

The CEO further informed that polling would be held in 16 designated camps.

Voters, candidates and political leaders of a constituency would not be allowed to go to another constituency on the day of voting.

Progress of polling at each polling station would be updated after every two hours.

To a query, the CEO conceded that verbal reports have been received about NSCN-IM's support to NPF though the same reports have not been confirmed.

As against, 109 vehicles requested from Nagaland, only five Gypsy's were requisitioned while Assam requisitioned 30 vehicles as against 150 vehicles demanded by the State.

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