Stage set for 1st phase poll, 168 in fray
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 02 2017: Whereas the election campaign period for the first phase of polling scheduled on March 4 ended today at 3 pm, altogether 168 candidates including seven women are in the fray.

All the candidates of the 38 Assembly segments which go to polls in the first phase made maximum efforts to woo voters today before the electioneering period expired. On the other hand, polling personnel detailed for duty in far flung polling stations of Churachandpur district started moving for their respective stations since yesterday.

Altogether 5,44,050 male voters, 5,75,220 female voters, 5169 male service voters and 1915 female service voters are expected to exercise their right to adult franchise at 1643 polling stations spread across the 38 polling segments.

For the two-phased Assembly election, Saikul has the highest number of candidates with 11 candidates in the fray.

With two candidates each, Sekmai, Mayang Imphal, Nambol, Sugnu and Hiyanglam ACs have the lowest number of candidates.

Out of the total 2794 polling stations, 529 have been categorised as sensitive while 837 have been listed in hyper-sensitive category.

For the first time, VVPATs would be used in six Assembly segments namely; Yaiskul, Nambol, Thoubal, Khurai, Singjamei and Uripok.

Polling process in all polling stations would be webcast and for those polling stations where webcasting facility is not available, the entire process would be videographed.

Due arrangements have been already made to enable cadres of SoO groups cast their votes through postal ballot papers.

The Government has already declared March 4 and 8 as public holidays so that employees can exercise their right to adult franchise.

Meanwhile, CEO VK Dewangan told media persons today that they would not hesitate to announce re-poll if anything goes wrong during polling process in any polling station.

He said that stringent actions would be initiated against proxy voting.

Special and adequate measures have been taken up to ensure free and fair election by providing voter slips through booth level officers.

He also said that special measures have also been taken up for senior citizens at polling stations.

For the first time, six polling stations would be handled by only women officers and personnel in Bishnupur district.

He also said that no State police personnel would be deployed at polling stations.

Instead, paramilitary forces, police personnel from Odissa, Uttar Pradesh and Assam would cover polling stations and voters would be assisted by NCC cadets, scouts, guides and other student volunteers.

He also stated that all EVMs have been duly checked and are stored in a strong room under 24X7 security.

The CEO stated that exit poll is prohibited once the polling process of the first phase starts and it would remain in effect till 30 minutes after the end of poll on the last day of polling.

No result of any opinion poll conducted earlier shall be published, publicized or disseminated in any manner whatsoever in print media or electronic media within 48 hours of conclusion of poll.

The CEO further informed that a show cause notice has been sent to a candidate of Mao Assembly Constituency.

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