Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 13:
Over 7 lakh voters spread across 29 Assembly Constituencies in Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur districts will cast their votes in 827 polling stations tomorrow to decide the fate of 155 candidates who are in the fray for the second phase polling.
Of the 155 candidates, eight are women candidates.
The Assembly segments which will go to the polls in Imphal East are, 1-Khundrakpam AC, 2-Heingang AC, 3-Khurai AC, 4-Kshetrigao AC, 5-Thongju AC, 6-Keirao AC, 7-Andro AC, 8-Lamlai AC, 14-Yaiskul AC and 15-Wangkhei AC.
In Imphal West the Assembly segments are, 9-Thangmeiband AC, 10-Uripok AC, 11-Sagolband AC, 12-Keishamthong AC, 13-Singjamei AC, 16-Sekmai AC, 17-Lamshang AC, 18-Konthoujam AC, 19-Patsoi AC, 20-Langthabal AC, 21-Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC, 22-Wangoi AC and 23-Mayang Imphal AC.
The Assembly segments in Bishnupur districts include, 24-Nambol AC, 25-Oinam AC, 26-Bishnupur AC, 27-Moirang AC, 28-Thanga AC and 29-Kumbi AC.
Out of the 827 polling stations, 30 have been identified as hypersensitive in Imphal West district and 335 as sensitive while in Imphal East 77 have been named as hyper sensitive and 214 as sensitive.
At Bishnupur district, 74 have been identified as hyper sensitive and 97 as sensitive.
Not leaving anything to chance, the Election office has decided to deploy four section of Central para-military force in some polling stations while at least one section will be pressed into service at all the polling stations.
All the security personnel and polling officials along with the needed material have reached their respective polling stations, said a source from the Election office.
Polling will start at 7 am and go on till 3.30 pm.
The number of voters in Imphal East district is pegged at 2,63,211 including 1,13,399 women voters and 285 service voters.
Imphal East has 11 Assembly segments but Jiribam sub-division will go to the polls on February 23. At Imphal West district the number of voters is put at 3,18,933 including 1,68,045 women voters and 399 service voters for the 13 Assembly segments.
A total of 1,57,514 voters including 82,481 women voters and 295 service voters are registered at Bishnupur district which has six Assembly segments.
The total number of voters spread across the three districts is 7,39,658. Out of this male voters account for 3,500,39 while women account for 3,88,925. A number of political heavy weights, including three former Chief Ministers are in the fray for the second phase polling.
The three former Chief Ministers in the fray are RK Dorendra of the MPP in Yaiskul AC, Radhabinod Koijam of the NCP in Thangmeiband AC and W Nipamacha of the RJD in Wangoi AC.
Dr Chandramani of the MPP contesting from Patsoi AC and Th Chaoba of the MPP in Nambol AC are former Deputy Chief Ministers.
The latter is also a former Union Minister of State while Dr Chandramani is presently the president of the MPP.
The fate of eight women candidates will also be sealed tomorrow.
The eight women candidates in the fray include, AK Mirabai of the INC from Patsoi AC, M Babita of the MPP from Heingang AC, L Sumatibala of the CPI from Keishamthong AC, Th Manisang of the BJP from Khundrakpam AC, L Tilotama of the INC from Langthabal AC, N Rebika of the NCP from Langthabal AC, L Leima of the INC from Naoriya Pakhanglakpa and M Tombi of the BJP from Wangoi AC.
L Leima is the lone woman MLA.
Khundrakpam AC in Imphal East has the highest number of candidates with 12 in the fray while Lamshang AC in Imphal East district has the least number of candidates with two.
The ruling Congress has fielded candidates in all the 29 Assembly Constituencies, while the MPP, which is expected to give a tough fight to the Congress, has fielded 25 for the second phase polling.
RJD and NCP have fielded 17 candidates each while the CPI has fielded 16 candidates.
BJP has fielded 9 candidates, CPM one while SP and other parties total 13 candidates.
As per the instructions of the Election Commission of India, campaigning for the second phase ended yesterday at 3.30 pm and security has been beefed up all over to ensure smooth conduct of the election.
The third and final phase polling covering Chandel, Tamenglong, Churachandpur districts and Jiribam sub-division in Imphal East will be held on February 23.