IMPHAL, June 21: With state assembly election expected to be held by the year-end or during the beginning of next year, district authorities have begun initiating the process of rationalization of polling stations for smooth conduct of the election.
The process of rationalization of polling stations in respect of Imphal East district has begun with the DC Imphal East, K Lakshmikumar, who is also the district election officer, convening an all political party meeting today at his office chamber.
During the meeting, representatives of political parties like INC, BJP, NCP, and MPP took part though there were no representatives from the CPI, CPI(M), BSP or the NPP.
Apart from the DEO/DC Imphal East, almost all the concerned block and district level officers of Imphal East attended the meeting.
The meeting was primarily held to discuss the bifurcation of three polling stations in the district but in the end it was recommended for bifurcation of only two polling stations.
The meeting recommended for bifurcation of 6/6 Kyamgei Awang Leikai LP Madrasa, which currently has total of 1035 electors. The existing polling station will now have only 734 electors while the new polling station at community hall of Kyamgei Muslim Awang Leikai will have 301 electors.
Another polling station recommended for bifurcation is 6/13 Urup Awang Leikai Primary Madrasa which has a total of 1084 electors will now will be bifurcated to Urup Khunou LP Madrasa where the new polling station will have 605 electors and the remaining electors would be accommodated to the old polling station.
Another agenda discussed in today’s meeting was shifting of four polling stations at RDS High School, Palace Gate in respect of 15 Wangkhei assembly constituency. The meeting recommended for shifting of all the existing four polling stations at RDS high school to CC Higher Secondary school as the earlier polling stations have inadequate infrastructure.
As for Sawombung sub-division, the meeting failed to arrive at any conclusive decision as the concerned authority of the subdivision did not submit any report regarding bifurcation of polling stations in the subdivision.
Speaking to media person immediately after the meeting, Imphal East DC Lakshmikumar said today’s all political party meeting was primarily held to discuss about conditions of existing polling stations in Imphal East district for smooth conduct of the forthcoming 10th state assembly election.
He further said district authorities will prepare a report about bifurcation process and the same will be forwarded to the Election Commission of India through the state election commission for finalization of polling stations in the district except for Jiribam subdivision.
If the ECI gives its approval for bifurcation of two polling stations in Keirao Bitra subdivision, total number of polling stations in Imphal East district will be 321; Lakshmikumar said adding there has been no other proposal for bifurcation from other subdivisions of the district except for shifting of some polling stations.