Imphal, February 11 2009: The State Chief Electoral officer (CEO) has conveyed to political leaders of the State regarding the election Commission of India's preparedness to complete election processes for the 15th lok Sabha within April.

interacting with representatives of political parties active in the State at the conference hall of Old Secretariat today, the CEO Sh Shambhu confided that in the first phase of the polling the Outer Manipur parliamentary seat and constituencies of Nagaland State might be included in the hustings.

Top political figures of the MSCP, Indian national Congress, CPI, CPI (M), BJP, MPP, RJD and NCP were present at the meeting presided by the CEO.

Sharing more information on the likely poll schedules, the cEO said with the Budget session of Parliament likely to commence on February 26/27, office of the CEC is targeting pre-monsoon season to hold parliamentary elections which is most likely to be scheduled within April 15 .

Out of the two Lok Sabha seats of Manipur the contest for Outer parliamentary constituency is certain to be enlisted in the first phase schedule as onset of rainy season would complicate election-related activities, the CEO explained adding that electorates of nagaland might also exercise their franchise right during the first phase.

Highlighting severe inconveniences during rainy season in the hill district areas, MSCP president RV Minthang proposed to the CEO for three-phase polling with two for Outer manipur Parliamentary seat and one for the valley areas (inner manipur constituency) .

Minthang also contended that assigning election observer for the Outer seat is inconsequently as in the past such measures hardly had an impact on the overall poll scenario.

He further desired that polling agents of respective candidates be allowed to guard EVMs when the machines are kept at office of the DC concerned.

Leaders of other political parties present at the meeting also preferred multiple (two) phase polling ahead of the monsoon season, strongly advocated sealing of EVMs, deployment of adequate security personnel for free and fair polling exercise, round the clock opening of an information centre with the presence of a responsible personnel at the DC's office to facilitate access by political parties on poll-related information and to ensure error-free electoral roll.

Commenting on the proposals, the cEO sought cooperation of the political parties in ensuring free and fair conduct of the polls while asserting that there would be no security related problem.

Elaborating on other details of the democratic exercise, Shambhu said out of the total of 2193 polling stations spread across the State, electorates of Imphal East district would cast votes in 355 polling stations, Imphal west will have 361, 297 in Bishnupur, Thoubal 191, Chandel 122, Ukhrul 164, senapati 318 and Tamenglong 130 while Churachandpur electorates would seal fate of the candidates in 289 polling stations.

Stringent measures would be adopted to ensure incident-free polling process with the use of video and digital cameras to record the proceedings, he added.

The CEO also called upon the political leaders to advise booth level officers and agents to contact and consult DCs and SDOs concerned 15 days ahead of the actual poll date/s to rectify any flaws detected in the electoral rolls.

LS polls tid-bits and others
* State has asked Centre to provide 86 Coys of Central Para-Military Force
* Four choppers requested
* 15 motor boats to be used for polling at Vangai Range and Tipaimukh
* 0.48 increase in number of voter, which is a drop from the 3 pc recorded earlier
* CEO has instructed all DCs and SPs to make sure that the telephones in all police stations are made okay.

Instructions given to repair all vehicles
* Election in Manipur likely before April 15 .

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