Phase-I ends, voter turn-out pegged at 90 pc
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 28 2022: Polling for the first phase of the 12th Manipur Assembly Elections ended peacefully on Monday with 78.03 per cent of the total 12,09,439 voters in the state turning out to exercise their franchise as per reports available from various constituencies till 5 pm.

However, sources in the CEOs office informed that the polling percentage might reach 90 per cent as reports from some constituencies are still awaited.

Giving the final details here on Monday, chief electoral officer (CEO) Manipur Rajesh Agrawal said that of the 38 assembly constituencies, which went to polls in the first phase, Konthoujam AC recorded highest polling percentage of 90.10 per cent, followed by Patsoi (90 per cent) and Wangoi AC (88.06 per cent), while Tipaimukh (63.61 per cent) and Saikot (68.5 per cent) ACs witnessed the lowest voter turnout.

The final voting percentage will be notified after arrival of all political officials and personnel, he added.

The CEO mentioned that 10 ACs in Imphal East, 13 in Imphal West, six each in Bishnupur and Churachandpur and three in Kangpokpi went to the polls on Monday.

A total of 12,09,439 voters including 6,28,657 females and 175 transgender voters are in the electoral rolls for the Phase-I.These include 10,041 PwD electors and 251 centenarian voters.

According to a release by the CEO's office, the voting in the 38 Constituencies was held peacefully except for a few stray incidents of damaging EVM and opening preventive firing in the air by security personnel which were reported in some polling stations of Saitu, Henglep and Singhat constituencies.

Imphal East reported 76.64 per cent voter turnout while Imphal West recorded 82.19 per cent, Bishnupur 73.44 per cent, Churachandpur 74.45 per cent and Kangpokpi 82.19 per cent.

The incidents of damaging EVMs by unknown miscreants have been reported from 7 polling stations at 46/54-Leplen under Saikul AC, 51/46-New Keithelmanbi under Saitu AC, 56/10-Maite and 56/19-Tinsuong under Thanlon AC, 57/49-Leinom under Henglep AC, 60/10-MT Geltam and 60/43-Maukot under Singhat AC.

FIRs have been registered in all these cases.

Polling for 60/10-MT Geltam under Singhat AC and 46/54-Leplen under 46-Saikul AC commenced with new sets of machines.

In an unfortunate incident, one polling official detailed for duty at polling station 55/1-Chingmun under 55-Tipaimukh died of BP stroke.

CEO, Manipur has expressed condolence over the demise of the officer.

Out of a total 1721 polling stations, 381 polling stations were completely manned by women polling personnel.

Interestingly, four ACs namely Singjamei, Yaiskul, Wangkhei and Churachandpur were entirely manned by all women polling teams.

It is also notable that one polling station in Saikot AC was manned entirely by PwD polling personnel, he stated.

Rajesh Agrawal continued that all the polling stations were beautifully decorated with selfie booths, welcome gates including red carpet welcome especially in the all-woman and model polling stations.

The centenarian voters and PwD voters also came out in large number and exercised their franchise.

The volunteers at the booths assisted them with wheel chairs, etc., for smooth voting experience.

Polling parties have started returning from their respective polling stations.

EVMs are being deposited in the Strong Rooms and will be guarded in three tier-security system, he informed, while adding that security forces have been keeping strict vigil round the clock at Strong Rooms.

He also conveyed that the scrutiny of Form 17 A and other documents will be conducted by the returning officers in the presence of general observers on Tuesday.

Decisions on re-polls, if any, will be decided accordingly.

CEO Manipur noted that to ensure Covid safe election, adequate arrangements have been made in all polling stations.

All polling stations were sanitised.

ASHA and Anganwadi workers posted on duty at polling stations helped in thermal screening and queue management.

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

Besides, mask, glove, etc., 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 in the polling station.

This enabled the ROs to take immediate corrective actions, he stated.

Rajesh Agrawal further said that arrangement for webcasting/videography were made in all polling stations.

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

The CAPF deployed at the polling stations ensured security of voters.

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

On law & order situation, he informed that some poll related minor incidents were reported from few polling stations and appropriate action on the same were taken.

In addition, a total of 32 observers deputed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the first phase polling, including special observers, were on mobile mode throughout the day witnessing polling in hundred polling stations.

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

Divulging more details, CEO Manipur said that in the morning during mock poll six ballot units, 13 control units and 14 WPAT machines were replaced, while 11 ballot units, 10 control units and 20 VVPATs were successfully replaced during the conduct of poll.

The poll process was not vitiated at any polling station due to malfunctioning of EVM.

There were complaints from certain political parties and candidates during the polls.

However, majority of the issues were resolved and prompt actions taken, he remarked.

Rajesh Agrawal further thanked people of Manipur for coming out in large number to exercise their democratic right, polling personnel, security personnel, booth level officers (BLO), PwD coordinators, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers for working day and night to ensure free, fair, peaceful, participative, accessible and inclusive polls in the state.

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