ECI revises polling dates, CEO details preparation
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 10 2022: Heeding the request of political parties and various communities of the state, the Election Commission on Thursday rescheduled the polling dates of Manipur Assembly elections, due on February 27 and March 3, to February 28 and March 5.Counting will be held on March 10, along With four other states.

The All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) had urged the poll panel to reschedule the first phase of Assembly polls on February 27 as it falls on a Sunday, the prayer day of the community.

All parties, including the ruling BJP, the main opposition Congress and the National People's Party (NPP) also supported the AMCO demand.

EC Secretary Sanjeev Kumar Prasad, in a statement, said: "The Commission, having considered inputs, representations, past precedent, logistics, ground situations and all facts and circumstances in the matter, has decided under Section 153 of Representation of the People Act, 1951 to revise the dates of poll of General Election to Legislative Assembly of Manipur".

The AMCO earlier in a representation to the EC said that Sunday is a sacred day, a day set aside to worship and revere god.

"But fixing polling date on Sunday has led the Christian community in Manipur to question if the government is deliberately attempting to desacralize its religious significance.

Furthermore, the AMCO is apprehensive that a large number of voters may refrain themselves from exercising their franchise as the polling day falls on Sunday thus, purposely robbing off the people their right to universal franchise," it had said in a statement.

Christians constitute 41.29 pel' cent of Manipur's three million people, while 41.39 per cent are Hindu and 8.4 per cent belong to the Muslim community.

Here in the state, Manipur chief electoral officer (CEO) Rajesh Agrawal informed that the last date for nomination for First Phase has ceased and altogether 176 candidates had filed their nominations across 38 assembly constituencies.

Out of the 175 candidates whose nomination papers were found valid, 15 are women, he said, adding that nomination paper for one candidate of Saikot AC was rejected.

The symbol allotment and list of contesting candidates will be prepared immediately after the last date of withdrawal and will be notified by ROs.

For the second phase, the last date for nomination filing is February 11 and so far 60 nominations of 38 candidates have been received from remaining 22 assembly constituencies.

The CEO told media persons on Thursday, that candidates having criminal antecedents shall publish declaration in Format C-1 and report compliance to RO immediately in three occasions (from the last date of withdrawal of candidature till 2 days before poll) - in local newspaper, TV channel as specified by CEO.

The CEO also mentioned that Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken note of the fact that COVID cases has receded in the state and has decided to revise the campaign guidelines.

Subsequently, outdoor physical meeting, will now be allowed up to 50 per cent of the capacity of the Indoor ijall or as fixed by DEOs as per requirement of social distancing norms.

Open ground rallies will also be allowed at venues specifically designated by district authorities and subject to compliance of all conditions of SDMA.

Capacities of such ground will be fixed by District Authorities well in advance and will be notified, and also will nominate a nodal officer to oversee the arrangements of the organiser, he said.

Further stating that door-to-door campaign is permissible for up to 20 persons excluding security personnel, Rajesh Agrawal reminded that permission for meeting, door to door campaigning should be obtained from the DEOs concerned in advance.

However, the ban on road shows, Pad-yatras, cycle/bike/vehicle rallies and procession will remain in force, he said.

The CEO also informed about ECI team's visit to the state on February 7 and 8 to review poll preparedness and said that the ECI expressed satisfaction on initiatives like setting up 529 All Women Polling Stations, reaching out to centenarian and transgender voters, Mission 300 with the objective to improve the voter turnout in the 300 Low Voter turnout Polling booths of the state.

The All Women Polling station proposed district wise are Imphal East - 130, Churachandpur - 110, Thoubal - 71, Imphal West - 53, Bishnupur - 50, Ukhrul - 45, Tamenglong - 33, Chandel - 20, Kangpokpi - 9, Jiribam - 5 and Senapati - 3 .

Further 115 Model Polling Stations will also be established.

On postal ballots, the CEO said that so far 903 valid requests have been received for PwD voters, 5243 for 80+ Voters and 15 for Essential Service voters (Total of 6161) .

The last date of opting for Postal Ballot for first phase was February 6 and for second phase February 9.Polling teams also have been formed and voters are being informed of the Postal Ballot voting date, he said and informed that Micro Observers will oversee polling teams and videography will be done, maintaining the secrecy of voting.

ETPBs will be despatched by ROs concerned electronically to 13,274 Service voters in first phase and 8667 in second phase, within 24 hours from the date of withdrawal.

The CEO also informed that airlifting plan has been put in place for 83 polling stations, 30 in Churachandpur, 20 in Chandel, 16 in Ukhrul and 17 in Tamenglong.

On maintaining law and order, the CEO conveyed that since the day of announcement of election, all Enforcement Agencies have been monitoring movement of cash, liquor, precious metals and other valued items.

So far, directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 15826.58 grams of gold worth Rs 7.71 crore, 15,86,800 cigarette sticks worth Rs 3.1736 crore on February 6 .

A joint operation conducted by DRI, Customs and State Police also made a seizure of 19,90,000 cigarette sticks on February 6 worth Rs 3.38 crore.

Income Tax Department made a total of Rs 1.475 crore so far with necessary procedures being 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.

Flying Squad, Static Surveillance Teams, State Police and Excise Department have seized 29864.89 litres of liquor worth Rs 0.4175 crore, he said.

On COVID management, the CEO maintained that so for 69 per cent and 53.39 per cent of the electors have been vaccinated with single and second dose respectively.

Around 21,817 polling personnel trained are completely vaccinated whereas a total of 4751 precautionary doses were administered to Polling Parties.

"All polling stations will be completely vaccinated one day before the poll day, Thermal Screening will be done and hand sanitisers, PPE kits, hand-gloves and masks will be made in all polling stations.

ASHAs/Volunteers will be employed in all the Polling stations to assist voters and also ensure Covid appropriate behaviour," said the CEO, adding that regular meetings are held with Power department, MSPDCL, MSPCL, DoT, Telecom Service providers to ensure Network connectivity, disruptionr free Power during the Poll days.

Shadow area Action Plan is also in place for 62 polling stations across state, said Rajesh and added that satellite phones, VHFs and other booster measures will be made to fill the communication gaps.

The CEO also maintained that a 24x7 Media Cell is monitoring social media which can also take appropriate actions in case political parties/candidates are indulging in spreading fake news and hate speeches.

Strict vigil on suspected cases of Paid news is done by Media Cell, he said.

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