Nearly 80 per cent votes polled till 3 pm, people still in queues

GUWAHATI: The first phase of assembly polls in Manipur in 38 constituencies has witnessed over 80 per cent of the total population voting. Election commission is expecting the turnout to increase as there are still long queues in several polling stations.

Vivek Kumar Dewangan, Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur told ET, “Till 3 pm the voting percentage was around 80 percent. We are expecting this to increase. There has been no untoward incident and it was a peaceful election.”

In all, 168 candidates are in the fray in this phase. Activists Irom Sharmila led Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) party’s convener Erendro Leichombam has lodged a police complaint where he stated that he was attacked by some unidentified men at Sinam Leikai, which is under Thangmeiband assembly constituency.

Sharmila cast her vote at a polling booth in Khurai assembly constituency. Saturday’s ballot will decide the faith of Congress candidate Lokeshwar from Khundrakpam Assembly Constituency. Lokeshwar is the speaker of the Manipur Assembly. Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president, T. N Haokip is in fray in the first phase.

The March 4 ballot will seal the fate of former Union minister and convener of BJP’s election management committee Choba Singh, former ministers Y Erabot and N Biren.