Manipur Assembly Polls: 78% Turnout in 1st Phase; Clashes, EVM Damage Reported

Two security personnel died during poll duty. Their deaths, however, are said to be unrelated to the polls.

A high voter turnout of 78.03 percent was recorded till 5 pm during the first phase of the Manipur Assembly elections held on Monday, 28 February.

(Photo: Aroop Mishra/The Quint)

A high voter turnout of 78.03 percent was recorded till 5 during the first phase of the Manipur Assembly elections held on Monday, 28 February.

Several incidents of poll-related violence were also reported throughout the day.

The body of a havildar from the 8th Manipur Rifles, who was deployed on poll duty in the state, was found in the Pherzawl district of southern Manipur on Monday morning, PTI reported. Police have said that the cause of death was unclear, and that investigation was on.

Also, a police officer who was on poll duty died in a suspected case of accidental firing from his service rifle, Rajesh Agarwal, Chief Electoral Officer, told PTI.

Polling for 38 out of 60 assembly constituencies in Manipur took place in 1,721 polling booths across five districts during the first phase. All-women personnel conducted polling in 381 booths.

The policeman, identified as Naorem Ibochouba, was shot in the Tipaimukh assembly constituency of the state's Churachandpur district.

The body was airlifted to Imphal for an autopsy, Agarwal added.

Sporadic clashes were also reported, including in Churachandpur district of the state, where at least one person had been injured during a clash between members of two parties, PTI reported.

There were also reports of damage to Electronic Voting Machines (EVM). Agarwal said that First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered in cases of EVM damage in seven polling booths.

In the Langthabal constituency – located in the Imphal West district of the state – Congress workers allegedly indulged in vandalism.

The vehicle of a National People's Party (NPP) candidate was allegedly damaged by a group of people in Keirao. However, nobody was injured during the incident, as per reports by PTI.

Polling was also halted after a clash between rival groups in the Saitu constituency, which is reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs).

High Voter Turnouts Across the State

The highest voter turnout of 82.97 per cent was recorded in Kangpokpi district, followed by 82.19 percent in Imphal West, 76.64 percent in Imphal East, and 74.45 percent in Churachandpur, according to officials.

Over 12 lakh voters were eligible to cast their vote in the first phase.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Governor La Ganesan exercised their franchise during the early hours of the day. They also encouraged voters to go to their respective booths and cast their ballots despite several incidents of poll-related violence.

6,884 polling agents were assigned during the polling hours. Webcasting and micro-observers were also put into action, especially in politically-sensitive areas, to prevent wrongdoing, PTI reported.

The second phase of the Manipur Assembly elections will be held on 5 March for the remaining 22 seats of the legislative assembly. The result will be declared on 10 March.

(With inputs from PTI.)