- One person, injured in the bomb blast at Manipur’s Kamjong district on the eve of second phase of polling, died on Wednesday
- Two blasts were heard in Imphal that injured eight people
- 86 percent of voter turnout was recorded in Manipur till 5 pm
- Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is confident of a win
- Irom Sharmila, who has formed her own party – PRJA, and the CM, are contesting from Thoubal constituency
- A total of 98 candidates are contesting in these constituencies
Manipur on Wednesday witnessed a record turnout of 86 percent in the second and last phase of polling in 22 Assembly constituencies, the highest since 2009 general elections.
The polling went off peacefully, “barring a couple of stray incidents”, Election Commission Director General Sudeep Jain told reporters. Polling was generally peaceful, notwithstanding a few stray incidents in the 22 constituencies spread over six districts – Thoubal, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong, Kamjomg and Senapati, officials said.
A blast was heard in Imphal bazaar after the polling ended that injured at least eight people.
The official said that the first phase polling, held on 4 March in 38 seats, recorded 86 percent turnout.
"The percentage of males who voted today was 84 percent. Female voter turnout was 89 percent. No boycott of polling was reported," Jain said.
The state had recorded overall 79.80 percent turnout in 2012.
One Succumbs to Manipur Bomb Explosion
A person on election duty, who was injured in the bomb blast at Manipur's Kamjong district on the eve of second phase of polling, died at the hospital on Wednesday.
Police said the person was identified as H Ramkating, an assistant teacher of K Ashang Khullen Aze Aided primary school. He was on poll duty, and was seriously injured in yesterday’s bomb explosion.
State Chief Electoral Officer Vivek Kumar Dewangan expressed condolence at the death of Ramkating and released an ex-gratia amount of Rs 20,00,000 to his kin.
Those behind the explosion are yet to be identified.
Eight People Injured in a Blast in Manipur
A blast was reported place near Kasturi Bridge in Imphal Bazar few minutes after the voting for the second and final phase of election ended.
Eight people were injured in the blast, out of which two people were reportedly critical.
83 Percent Votes Cast in Manipur Till 3 PM
Manipur records a high voter turnout of 83 percent till 3 pm.
Manipur Chief Electoral officer Vivek Kumar Dewangan said the percentage was expected to go up as long queues are still visible outside several polling booths. “We are waiting for the final figures,” he told PTI.