Imphal(Manipur), Feb 28 : A total 78.03 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase of the Assembly polls in Manipur as of 5 pm on Monday, the chief election officer informed. Sporadic incidents of violence marred elections to 38 assembly constituencies. Voting began at 7 am in 1,721 polling stations in five districts amid tight security and strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols.
At least one person was injured in a clash between two parties in Churachandpur district. An EVM was damaged, and it was later replaced. Alleged Congress workers vandalised a BJP polling booth in Kakwa area in Langthabal constituency in Imphal West district, while a vehicle of an NPP candidate was damaged by supporters of a rival group in Keirao seat, although nobody was injured in the incident.
According to news agency PTI , a havildar of 8th Manipur Rifles who was deployed for poll duty was found dead in Pherzawl district early on Monday morning, police said. While it remains unclear how the incident occurred, police has registered a case for further inquiry. The body has been airlifted to Imphal.
Polling was stalled at a polling station in Saitu constituency this morning after a clash broke out between two groups, police said. This is the first of the two-part election in the insurgency-hit state.
As many as 173 candidates are in the fray. The key candidates whose fates would be decided today include Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who is contesting from Heingang, speaker Y Khemchand Singh from Singjamei, Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh from Uripok and state Congress chief N Lokesh Singh from Nambol.
( With Agency inputs)
