Imphal, Feb 28: Despite heavy security arrangements, sporadic incidents of violence occurred in the first phase of elections to 38 of the 60 Assembly constituencies in Manipur even as 78.03 per cent of the 12,09,439 voters exercised their franchise on Monday, election officials said.

Of the five districts, where the first phase of elections were held on Monday, highest percentage of 82.19 per cent voters cast their votes in Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts followed by 76.64 per cent in Imphal East, 74.45 per cent in Churachandpur and 73.44 per cent in Bishnupur district.

Violence in some pockets

Police officials in Imphal said that at least one person was injured in a clash between the workers of two rival political parties in Churachandpur district.

Clashes and attacks were also reported in different places of Imphal East, Imphal West district and Kangpokpi districts, but the security forces swiftly tackled the situation by mobilising additional forces.

An Electronic Voting Machine was damaged by some people at Singhat and it was later replaced.

Congress workers allegedly damaged a BJP polling booth in Kakwa area in Langthabal constituency in Imphal West district, while a vehicle of a National People’s Party (NPP) candidate was damaged by workers of the rival group in Keirao seat, though none was injured in the incident.

Congress and BJP candidates and leaders made allegations and counter allegations of intimidation and vandalisation of party election booths and resorting to violence.

The officials said that there was an incident of firing by some miscreants at Phunal Maring Polling Station. However, details of the incident are awaited.

Election officials said that a Manipur police Havildar Naorem Ibochouba Singh on Monday died in a suspected case of accidental firing from his service weapon in Kakching District.

Large voter turnout

Amidst the favourable weather, men and women, including the young voters in large numbers queued up in front of the polling stations much before the voting started at 7 a.m. Polling continued till 4 p.m. without any break and in a few polling stations voters were in queues even as the official balloting hours had ended.

Manipur Governor La Ganesan, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar, Speaker Y Khemchand, state Congress President N. Loken were among those who cast their votes at the early hours at their respective polling stations.

Singh, who is contesting from the Heingang assembly constituency against Congress nominee Pangeijam Saratchandra Singh, said that the BJP would secure 30 plus seat in the first phase of elections.

Altogether 12,09,439 voters, including 6,28,657 females and 175 transgenders, were eligible to cast their votes across 1,721 polling stations in five districts.

Fate of 173 candidates sealed in 1st phase of polling

Monday’s first phase of polling decided the electoral fate of 173 candidates, including 15 women contestants.

The aspirants include Chief Minister and BJP candidate N.Biren Singh, his cabinet colleague Thongam Biswajit Singh, NPP candidate and Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh, senior BJP leader Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Congress’ Ratankumar Singh, Lokeshwar Singh, Saratchandra Singh, sitting party MLA Akoijam Mirabai Devi are at stake.

Firebrand women leader and Janata Dal (United) candidate Thounaojam Brinda, who was the Additional Superintendent of Police (Headquarters), also is contesting in the first phase of polling from the Yaiskul constituency.

Of the 173 candidates, 39 candidates have criminal antecedents, the officials said. Of the 173 candidates, the ruling BJP has fielded 38 candidates, followed by the main opposition Congress – 35, and its ally CPI – 1, while BJP’s estranged ally National People’s Party put up 27 candidates, Janata Dal (United) – 28, Nationalist Congress Party – 6, Shiv Sena – 7, RPI (Athawale) – 6, and remaining by various other parties.

Covid-19 protocols for the polling personnel and voters including use of face masks, sanitiser, social distancing and thermal screening were being maintained.

A senior Election Commission official said that there are 10,041 physically challenged electors (PwD) and 251 centenarian voters in these 38 Assembly constituencies.

Women power to the fore 

The official said that 381 polling stations were fully manned by all women polling personnel and all polling stations in four Assembly constituencies — Singjamei, Yaiskul, Wangkhei and Churachandpur – were manned by all women polling teams.

One polling station in Saikot Assembly constituency was manned completely by physically challenged polling personnel.

Main issues raised in campaigns

During the over two-month long campaign, development, militancy, illegal trade of drugs, repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), women empowerment, rising unemployment and corruption were the main issues highlighted by the political parties in their campaign.

The number game

The BJP had secured 21 seats in the 60-member Assembly in the last Assembly polls in 2017 and wrested the power for the first time, stitching together a coalition government with the support of four NPP MLAs, four Naga People’s Front (NPF) members, the lone Trinamool Congress MLA and an Independent member.

However, this time the BJP, NPP and the NPF are contesting separately and have put-up candidates against each other.

The NPP, the dominant party of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, has been an ally of the BJP in both the northeastern states (Meghalaya and Manipur) since 2017.

The Congress, which governed the state for 15 consecutive years (2002-2017) and emerged as the single largest party by securing 28 seats in 2017 poll, this time formed a Manipur Progressive Secular Alliance (MPSA) after forging a pre-poll alliance with four Left parties and Janata Dal-Secular.

The second phase of polling will be held in 22 seats on March 5. Votes will be counted on March 10.