Manipur Live: 69% Voting Till 11 am, Irom Sharmila Casts Her Vote

• Manipur begins first phase of polling on Saturday
  
• 19 lakh people are expected to cast their votes in Phase 1.
  
• 7 women among 168 candidates in the fray for 38 seats
• AFSPA activist-turned-politician Irom Sharmila contests her first polls from Thoubal constituency
  

Voter turnout in the first phase recorded at 69 percent till 11 am.

Erendro Leichbombam, a candidate from Irom Sharmila’s PRJA party, was attacked by unknown persons. According to reports, he has been admitted to RIMS hospital in Imphal.

Voter turnout in the first phase recorded at 43 percent till 11 am.

Irom Sharmila, AFSPA activist-turned-politician casts her vote in her home constituency of Khurai. AFSPA activist-turned-politician Irom Sharmila contests her first polls from Thoubal constituency

The Election Commission has ordered an FIR against office bearers of Bharatiya Janata Party in the state for publishing an advertisement without clearance from certification panel.

Voter turnout in the first phase recorded at 10 percent till 8:30am.

Manipur goes to the polls on Saturday in the first of its two-phased elections across 38 Assembly constituencies.

Chief Election Officer VK Dewangan said all preparations have been made to conduct incident-free polling in the 1,643 polling stations in these constituencies.

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With the first phase of polling scheduled to begin in a few minutes, people have begun to form queues outside polling booths in Nambol's Utlou village.

There are 5,44,050 male and 5,75,220 female voters for the first phase polling. Besides 5,169 male and 1,915 female service voters are expected to cast votes.

Out of the polling stations, 839 have been identified as critical stations, while 527 have been labelled as being vulnerable.

BJP is the only party contesting all 60 seats in the entire state. Congress, which was in power in the outgoing assembly is fielding 59 candidates.

There are 168 candidates in the fray for the Saturday polls. Seven of them are women.

Also Read: In Manipur, the Dead Will Decide Who the Living Will Vote for

All eyes are on rights activist Irom Sharmila Chanu who broke her 16-year fast last year and founded a party of her own 'Peoples' Resurgence and Justice Alliance' to fight the Assembly election in her quest to get the dreaded AFSPA repealed.

She is contesting from CM Ibobi Singh’s constituency Thoubal.

Also Read: Will Irom Sharmila Ending Her Fast End the Struggle Against AFSPA?

In February, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal donated Rs 50,000 to rights activist Irom Sharila's party and Aam Aadmi Party Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann followed the suit and donated his one month salary.

Also Read: The Mothers’ Mandate: The Vote That Really Matters in Manipur

PRJA is hoping to make an impact using alternative political practices.

Ibobi Singh, the three-time CM of Manipur, is eyeing a fourth term in office after being elected successively in 2002, 2007 and 2012.

Also Read: Khaane Pe Charcha on Elections at Manipur’s Famous Luxmi Kitchen

The Election Commission directed the Chief Election Officer of Manipur to file an FIR against concerned Manipur BJP office bearers and a newspaper organisation for carrying a non-certified advertisement.

Dewangan said that 280 companies of central paramilitary forces will be used on election security duty. No state force personnel will be deployed in polling stations. CCTV cameras will be installed at 71 check posts.

47 EVMs and personnel will be airlifted to five polling stations in Tamenglong district where road connectivity is very poor.

Security and polling personnel in some hill areas have to use canoes or trudge in the mountain bridle paths along with poll materials.

Postal ballot papers will be provided to 2,228 inmates of 14 designated camps who had come overground after signing MoU and suspension of operations.

Also Read: Lights, Camera, Action from Manipur This Election Season

International Borders Sealed

District administration announced on Friday that the international border between Chandel district and Myanmar has been sealed and shall remain so till 11 March.

A district officer said that it has been done to check inflow of foreigners who may cast votes in some tribal areas through impersonation. As a result, the legalised border trade at Moreh in Manipur and Namphalong in Myanmar is paralysed.

Also Read: Manipur Elections: Will the New Nagaland CM Offer an Olive Branch?