Adequate measures in place as Manipur votes in first phase of Lok Sabha elections

Guwahati: Voting process in both the Lok Sabha constituencies in Manipur kick-started at 7am on Friday (April 19).

Polling in Manipur began at 7 am and will continue till 4 pm.

All 32 assembly segments of the Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency and 15 assembly segments of the Outer Manipur (ST) parliamentary constituency went for polls on Friday (April 19).

A total of 15,44,652 electors, including 7,41,849 male, 8,02,557 female and 246 transgender, are expected to exercise their franchise in the first phase.

There are a total of 2107 polling stations, including four P-3 (dispersal of polling personnel three-days prior to the day of poll) polling stations and 96 P-2 (dispersal of polling personnel two-days prior to the day of poll) polling stations.

As many as 645 polling stations are completely managed by all-women polling personnel and two polling stations exclusively managed by all Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) polling personnel.

In addition, 85 special polling stations have been set up for the internally displaced voters in the districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi in Manipur.

A total of 18,091 internally displaced voters will exercise their franchise in their respective special polling stations.

Over 8000 polling personnel have been deployed in the first phase of polls in Manipur.

Altogether six candidates are in fray for the Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency while four candidates are contesting for the Outer Manipur (ST) parliamentary constituency.

Arrangements for webcasting and videography have been made in 1,256 polling stations.

Adequate security arrangements have been made with personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed in all the polling stations.

In addition, micro observers have been deployed in all the critical polling stations and special polling stations.

Provisions for pick up and drop facilities for PwDs and aged electors have also been made available along with wheelchair facilities.

A total of 11,582 PwD electors and 289 centenarian voters will exercise their franchise. Two volunteers have been engaged in each polling station to assist the voters.

Voter Assistance Booths have been set up in all the polling stations with Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers being identified for every polling station to provide immediate health care to the voters.

Anganwadi workers have also been engaged to facilitate the pregnant and lactating mothers to vote with ease. First-aid kits have also been made available in all the polling stations.

The movement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) is being tracked with the help of e-Traccar apps which are embedded in the mobile phones of all the polling personnel and sector officers.

With the help of e-Traccar app, polling personnel will also be able to report any sort of EVM malfunctioning or any untoward incident taking place in a polling station thus enabling the Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officers to take immediate corrective actions.

The PollStar app is also being used for timely reporting of voter turnout and other vital information by the polling officials. Control rooms have been set up in every district headquarter and in the office of Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur.

In order to ensure a free, fair and smooth election, certain restrictions have been imposed on the day of voting in the polling station premises.

Providing free conveyance to voters, to and from, the polling stations by a candidate or his agent is being considered as a corrupt practice thus has been strictly forbidden.

As provided in Section 130 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, canvassing within a polling station or any public or private place within a distance of 100-metres radius of a polling station has been strictly prohibited.

Use of cellular phones, cordless phones among others has been barred except the officers on duty in the 100-metre radius of a polling station.

Campaign-related posters or banners within the 100-metre radius of the polling booths will also not be allowed.

Use of loudspeakers within the 100-metre radius of the polling stations is strictly prohibited. Candidates have also been asked not to set up booths within the 200-metre radius of the polling booths.

The voters have been asked to produce their Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) for identification at the polling stations before casting their votes.

Those voters who will not be able to produce EPIC have been asked to produce one of the 12 alternative identity documents for establishing their identity.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur has appealed to all voters to come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise and be a part of the democratic exercise.