Newmai News Network
Imphal: Election authorities in Manipur are all set to conduct the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday, April 26.
In the second phase of the elections, voting will take place in 848 polling stations spread across 13 assembly segments falling under the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency.
A tight security arrangement has been put in place. Apart from the deployment of over 4000 police personnel, a total of 87 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), an official statement said.
The second phase of general elections to the 18th Lok Sabha in respect of Manipur state is to be conducted in the remaining 13 assembly segments falling under the Outer seat spread across eight districts.
The 13 assembly segments are spread across the districts of Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Jiribam, Pherzawl and Tengnoupal.
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The voting in all the 848 polling stations will start at 7 am and will continue till 4 pm, the CEO Manipur said in a statement today.
A total of 484949 voters including 239140 male, 245807 female and two transgender voters are eligible to cast their votes in the second phase.
Of the total 848 polling stations, 202 polling stations in Jiribam district will be completely managed by all women polling personnel.
One polling station will be exclusively managed by all PwD polling personnel. Besides, there will be well-decorated and beautifully designed 22 model polling stations.
In addition, nine polling stations have been set up for internally displaced voters, out of which four are in Ukhrul and Tengnoupal districts and one in Jiribam district.
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A total of 529 internally displaced voters will exercise their franchise in their respective special polling stations tomorrow.
Interestingly, a special polling station has been set up for only one voter in the Tengnoupal district.
Over 3400 polling personnel are being deployed for the second phase poll in the state.
As done in the first phase, provision for pick up/drop facilities for PwD and aged electors are made available along with wheelchair facilities. A total of 2747 PwD electors and 454 centenarian voters are expected to exercise their franchise tomorrow.
Two volunteers have been engaged in each polling station to assist voters. Voter Assistance Booths have also been set up in all polling stations. ASHA workers have been identified for every polling station to provide immediate health care for the voters.
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In addition, Anganwadi workers have been engaged to facilitate the pregnant and lactating mothers to vote with ease. First Aid kits have been provided for all polling stations.
To note here, four candidates are in the fray for the Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary constituency. They are Alfred Kangam S Arthur of Congress, Kachui Timothy Zimik of NPF and two independent candidates – S Kho John and Alyson Abonmai.
A total of 28 assembly segments constituted the Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary constituency and of these 15 assembly segments had already polled on April 19, the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
In the 15 assembly segments, 61.98 % voter turnout was registered.
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Meanwhile, as Manipur is all prepared to hold the second and final phase of Lok Sabha election on Friday, April 26, the general mood is about whether it will be a ‘free and fair’ one. As the tempo rises, organisations, one after the other, have been issuing press statements urging the concerned authorities and the voters to ensure that there should be ‘free and fair’ pollings.
Today, United Women Organisation of Tamenglong has made an appeal to “all the leaders, voters and the general public of Tamenglong to exercise their franchise in a free and fair manner” when they go to the polling stations on Friday “by maintaining peace and harmony” during the polling period. “We encourage civil societies and leaders to instill social consciousness to gain momentum for clean election and avoid unethical practices,” it added.
Also, Mao Inter-denominational Churches Fellowship has also made an appeal to all the voters for a ‘free and fair’ election on April 26. In a statement, the joint fellowship appealed to the Mao people to “uphold secularism, protect minority rights, and serve as custodians of the Constitution, recognizing the pivotal role of elected leaders in governance”.
The statement then said, “As the nation commemorates the cornerstone of democracy, the credibility of the electoral process and candidates hinges upon ensuring every citizen’s freedom to vote for their chosen leader”. Earlier, similar appeals were made by All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO), Interfaith Forum for Peace and Harmony (IFPH) and many more organisations.
This news network had reported earlier that, unlike in the past elections in Manipur, social media users “have been boldly” expressing the desire for a “free and fair” election this time.
In the Outer Parliamentary constituency of Manipur, Alfred Kan-Ngam Arthur of Indian National Congress, and Kachui Timothy Zimik of Naga People’s Front, Dr. Alyson Abonmai and S. Kho John as independents are in the fray.
This news agency had also reported that, on most social media platforms, users want voters to be able to freely decide the candidates of their choice when they go to polling booths on April 26. Most of them expressed hope that voters will be mature enough this time round to take care of perennial issues of hurdles in time of voting.
This is not a Ukhrul Times publication. UT is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse its content. Any reports or views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of Ukhrul Times.
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