Manipur govt. declares public holiday on voting days — April 19 and 26

Imphal: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the country, the Manipur government has declared a public holiday on April 19, and April 26 i.e. the day of voting.

The order was issued by the General Administration Department of the Manipur government on Wednesday.

The order stated that all the educational institutes, banks, all the government and private offices, and all industrial and manufacturing units, etc. will stay closed on April 19, and April 26.

This step has been taken keeping in mind that all the people use their voting rights and participate readily in the upcoming general elections.

The people of Manipur will cast their votes in two phases on April 19 and April 26, according to the Election Commission of India. In the first phase, a total of 47 assembly segments will go to the polls, and second phase 13 assembly constituencies. Manipur has two parliamentary constituencies — Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat reserved for scheduled tribes and Inner Manipur LS seat.

Manipur has traditionally witnessed a close contest between the BJP and Congress. Both parties see the state as an essential battleground for displaying and gaining supporters for their national narratives.

The BJP had won all the Lok Sabha seats in the elections in 2019 elections in the Inner LS seat and Naga People's Front captured the Outer Manipur LS seat.

For the two SL seats, ten candidates including six independents are in the electoral fray.