Poll peaceful, voting recorded at 65 percent till 3pm: CEO
IMPHAL, APRIL 9: Polling for the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Election concluded peacefully today.
Ten candidates from different parties namely Mani Charenamei (Independent), Soso Lorho (NPF), Prof Gangmumei Kamei (BJP) and Amarson Sankhil (Independent) Thangso Baite (Congress), Kim Gangte (Trinamool), K Zou (Aam Aadmi Party), C Doungel (NCP), Lien Gangte (JD-U) and Lallalmoi CPI(ML) are in the fray.
According to a statement of the DIPR, till 3 pm, around 65 percent voters had cast their votes at the Thoubal Segment, 60 percent at Chandel, 55-60 percent at Chuachandpur, 70 percent at Senapati, 70 percent at Ukhrul, 80 percent at Tamenglong.
The Directorate of the Information and Public Relation said in a press release that the rate of voters is much higher than previous elections.
The counting of votes will be held on May 16 after the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency voting on April 17.
All election related works will conclude before May 28, 2014, it said.
Over 70 percent voters turnout is expected of the II-Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency (ST) concluded today in hill districts of Manipur including seven segments of Thoubal district and a segment of the Jiribam Constituency, said Chief Election Officer Manipur, O Nabakishore while briefing media persons at his office chamber today.
77 percent voters turn-out was recorded in the 2009 Lok Sabha Election.
Voting was conducted in total 1406 polling stations and altogether EVMs 166 is expected to be air lifted from polling stations located in remote part of the hill districts.
Till the time of the briefing the voters turned out was recorded as 70 percentage in Senapati wherein a EVM was replaced following some technical complication.
In Tamenglong 80 percent voters turn out was recorded, 60 percent in Churachandpur and three EVMs had to be replaced, 60 percent in Chandel where one EVM was replaced, said the CEO.
He also informed that re-poll is likely to be held in polling station number 41/21 of Chandel in Lambung Primary School as one EVM was destroyed there.
The repoll process will be initiated for the said polling stations after an official report from concerned ROs.
Ukhrul district witnessed 70 percent voters turn-out and three EVMs were replaced, 65 percent in Thoubal after having replaced three EVMs.
The EVM which have reached the concerned RO office including ADC Jiribam and Kangpokpi, have been sealed and deposited at their respective strong rooms guarded by adequate personnel of the paramilitary forces.
The accurate figure of the poll percentage was expected by midnight today, further informed the CEO.
Newmai News Network adds: Till 3 pm, the over-all poll percentage was recorded at 65%, according to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nabokishore. He however told the media persons that the poll percentage could cross 70% when the last report comes in which is expected late tonight or early tomorrow.
Though relatively peacefully, today`s polling was not without few stray incidents.
In Chandel district, an EVM was destoyed by a voter at polling station number 41/21 (Lambung Primary School). The CEO said a man went into the booth to cast his vote at around 12:20 pm but instead of casting, he destroyed the EVM. No further polling was done after the incident as the EVM became non-operational. The CEO said he had informed the matter to the ECI and the reply is awaited. Re-polling is likely in that polling station. It is not clear whether the man was arrested or not.
In Thoubal district there was a clash between the supporters of BJP and the Congress at polling station number 35/27 (Sangaiyumpham) in Thoubal district. Two workers of BJP were injured in the incident.
Outer Parliamentary constituency of Manipur is a reserved seat for the tribals where the Nagas and the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group are the two largest communities.
There are four Naga candidates and six from the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group in the fray in the Outer parliamentary constituency. The total number of voters in the constituency is 9,11,699.
Again, the total number of voters of the Nagas is 3,70,00 while that of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group stands at 3,30,00 and the rest are from the Nepalis, Meiteis and the Meitei-Pangal (Muslims).