Imphal, January 03: With the three-phased 9th State Assembly polls just round the corner, NCP is all set to announce its candidates and release the election manifesto in no time.

Like the Congress, NCP is set announce the names of its recommended candidates in two phases, with the first likely to be out on January 10.After expediting all necessary procedures prescribed by the party, the names of the recommended candidates for the first phase would be probably announced on January 10, informed NCP State unit president Radhabinod Koijam while talking with The Sangai Express.

Koijam, who is also a former Chief Minister of Manipur, said the antecedents of all the intending candidates who have submitted their application forms would be discussed minutely by the State Unit Election Committee of the party for approval on January 5.The approved names would again be re-examined by the party's national committee at New Delhi on January 7, Koijam said, while disclosing that he would take part in the re-discussion at New Delhi.

Responding to a query, he informed around 40 candidates including 10 in the hills would be fielded.

On the party's election manifesto, Koijam said it has been given for printing and the same would be released probably on January 10 to coincide with the announcement of the first phase of the recommended candidates.

Scrapping of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur, revival of Inner Line Permit system and relaxation of Restricted Area Permit are the main highlights of the party's manifesto, Koijam disclosed.

Other issues in the manifesto include employment generation, eco empowerment of women and farmers, etc, he added.

Koijam asserted that the party has been vocal in demanding the repeal of the oppressive Army Act.