Imphal, January 13: Along the with issuance of election notifications by the Returning Officers (ROs) concerned for the first phase of the three-phase elections to the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly 2007 on February 8 in respect of 19 Assembly Constituencies of Thoubal, Ukhrul and Senapati district, preparation for holding the election has begun with right earnest.

According to the election notifications, the last date for submission of nomination papers is January 20 and scrutiny would be done on January 22.January 24 has been fixed as the last date for withdrawal of candidature.

The polling would be held from 7 am to 3.30 pm on February 8.The 19 Assembly Constituencies which would go to poll in the first phase include 10 Assembly Constituencies in Thoubal district, three in Ukhrul district and six in Senapati district.

The 19 Assembly Constituencies are 30-Lilong, 31-Thoubal, 32-Wangkhem, 33-Heirok, 34-Wangjing-Tentha, 35-Khangabok, 36-Wabagai, 37-Kakching, 38-Hiyanglam and 39-Sugnu of Thoubal district; 43-Phungyar (ST), 44-Ukhrul (ST) and 45-Chingai (ST) of Ukhrul district; and 46-Saikul (ST), 47-Karong (ST), 48-Mao (ST), 49-Tadubi (ST), 50-Kangpokpi and 51-Saitu (ST) of Senapati district.

In all 6,00,697 voters would exercise their franchise to elect their representatives in 714 polling stations.

The total number of voters in Thoubal district is 2,57,693, Ukhrul district 99,834 and Senapati district 2,43,170.Political parties have also started announcing the names of their respective candidates to be fielded.

The political parties which have announced their candidates so far are CPI (M), CPI, Manipur People's Party (MPP), NCP and BJP.