Guwahati: Last-minute preparations are underway for the Manipur’s 1st phase of polling on February 28th. The poll preparations are being orchestrated from the Election Office at Lamphel in Imphal West.
A total of 38 constituencies will be going to polls in the first phase where fate of 173 candidates will be sealed.
In the first phase the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be contesting in all the 38 seats, Congress in 35 seats and the National People’s Party (NPP) will be contesting in 27 seats.
Political parties made last-ditch efforts to woo the voters through their intense campaigning on the last day as well.
Elaborate security arrangements are in place for the first phase of voting.
Manipur has witnessed quite a few incidents of pre-poll violence and taking note of that, elaborate security arrangements are being made, especially in sensitive polling stations.
For the first phase of polls on February 28th there are a total of 433 polling stations in Imphal East, 530 in Imphal West, 234 in Bishnupur, 68 in Kangpokpi and 357 in Churachandpur.
Poll parties have already been dispatched and they are all expected to reach their respective booths by the first half of February 27th.
Speaking exclusively media Chief Election Officer Rajesh Agarwal said that all the preparation have been made for the smooth conduct of the polls. He informed that the sealing of both the interstate and the international border has begun.
On the sensitive polling stations, he said that such centres have been identified and security has been beefed up in them for free and fair elections.
The second phase of polling in the state will take place on March 5.
The Counting of votes will take place on March 10.
