Vote counting at 24 centres from 8 am today
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 03 2024: All preparations for counting of votes for the 18th Lok Sabha election have been made with counting slated to begin from 8 am on June 4 (Tuesday) at 24 counting centres across the state.

Fate of six candidates who contested the election from Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency and four candidates from Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency, will be known by noon Tuesday.

The Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency went to the polls on April 19 with Outer constituency on April 2 6.The six candidates in Inner Manipur seat are Angomcha Bimol Akoijam of INC, Th Basanta Kumar of BJP, Maheshwar Thounaojam of RPI (Athawale), Moirangthem Totomshana of RJSP and Independent candidates RK Somorendro and Haorungbam Sarat.

Four candidates contested for the Outer Manipur seat namely Alfred Kangam S Arthur of INC, K Timothy Zimik of NPF and Independent candidates Alyson Abonmai and S Kho John.

Total number of electors in the two Lok Sabha constituencies of Manipur was 20,28,784 including 9,80,855 males and 10,47,929 female voters.

Polling for the two constituencies was held in 2,955 polling stations across the state and a total of 5176 ballot units, 6584 control and 5321 WPAT machines were utilised in the two-phase election.

Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency had 9,89,887 electors exercising their franchise in 1319 polling stations on April 19 with poll percentage reaching 75 percent.

Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency hada total of 10,36,736 electors exercising their franchise in 1636 polling stations on April 26 with the turn-out recorded at nearly 80 percent.

Counting of votes will be held at 24 different centres including 11 district headquarters and 50 counting halls have been prepared.

Counting for postal ballots will be done at five counting halls while the remaining 45 counting halls will be utilised for EVM and VVPAT counting.

District headquarters where counting will be carried out include Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Chandel, Ukhrul, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Jiribam.

Meanwhile, there will be a three-tier security arrangement in all the counting centres where no un-authorised person will be allowed entry with exception of media persons and counting agents possessing valid passes issued by the ECI.

Authorised counting agents should reach the counting centres before 8am and join opening of the Strong Rooms.

On the other hand, road diversion and change of traffic routes have been made in the district headquarters, where counting of votes are to be conducted while directorate of information and public relations (DIPR) has already prepared a Digi Box at its Nityaipat Chuthek office for public display of the election results.

All the counting halls will be under CCTV or video coverage and details of all the counting rounds could be assessable through ENCORE application.

Meanwhile, four observers, who will be monitoring counting of votes on for the 18th Lok Sabha Election, 2024 in respect of six assembly constituencies under Thoubal district, reached Thoubal on Sunday.

The four observers are De-basis Biswas for Lilong and Thoubal ACs, Jai Kishore Prasad for Wangkhem AC, Dr Ujjwal Kumar for Heirok and Wangjing Tentha ACs and Elisha Andrews for Khangabok AC.

Soon after arrival, counting observers held a meeting with RO, AROs and other officials and checked the counting hall and strong room.

Meanwhile, Imphal West district election officer (DEO) Th Kirankumar informed that the five counting observers appointed by the Election Commission of India to oversee counting of votes for the 18th Lok Sabha Election, 2024 in l-Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency are staying at Classic Hotel, North AOC and Hotel Imolesh, Opposite GP Women's College, Imphal.

In a notification issued Sunday, DEO Kirankumar informed that the observers namely Dr Dhavalkumar K Patel for Thangmeiband, Uripok and Sagolband ACs along with Special Polling Station (mobile No.9485280658); Gangadhar Wahile (Keishamthong, Singjamei and Sekmai ACs) 7587205927; Sagun R Velip (Lamsang, Konthoujam and Patsoi ACs) 7588497975; MM Patel (Langthabal and Naoriya Pakhanglakpa ACs) 9825841987; and Gagandeep Singh for Wangoi and Mayang Imphal ACs (9888850001) may be contacted for election related matters.

All preparations have also been made for counting of votes in respect of Bishnupur district at Indoor Hall, New Mini Secretariat Complex, Bishnupur on Tuesday.

Bishnupur district has six assembly segments, namely, Nambol, Oinam, Bishnupur, Moirang, Thanga and Kumbi with 234 polling stations and 1,83,748 voters, including 94,352 females and 49 transgender voters.

According to ECI report, 79.58 per cent votes were polled on the day of election in the district.

Eleven special polling stations each for Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency and Outer Manipur PC were also set up in the district for internally displaced people, which saw 81.43 per cent voting.

Counting of votes will start from 8 am on Tuesday in six halls with 40 tables manned by 240 counting personnel including counting supervisor, counting assistant, micro-observer and counting staff.

Security in the area has also been beefed up in view of the counting of votes.

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