The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday announced the schedule of the coming 18th Lok Sabha Elections in Manipur with the polls to be held in two phases i.e. Inner Manipur and parts of Outer Manipur on April 19 under the 1st Phase, while the rest of Outer Manipur on April 26 under the 2nd Phase.
A release issued by the chief electoral officer, Manipur stated that the election process shall be completed by June 6 and the counting of polls shall be held on June 4.
It stated that the date for issuance of notifications is March 20 for both the 1st and 2nd phase. The last date of making nominations is March 27 while the scrutiny of nominations will be held on March 28. It mentioned that the last date for the withdrawal of candidatures will be March 30.
With the announcement of the Election Schedule by the Election Commission of India, the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect immediately and will be applicable across the state, it mentioned. All intending candidates, political parties, the State and the Union Governments and all stake holders are, therefore, directed to comply strictly with the Model Code of Conduct with immediate effect till the election process is completed, it added.
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It stated that a scheme has been prepared for the Internally Displaced Persons of the State to vote at the Relief Camps. As per the Scheme, the Internally Displaced Persons will be considered as ordinary residents of the place where they have been displaced from and hence would be treated as electors of the original place, it said. Designated Assistant Returning Officers will be appointed for each district for the purpose.
It mentioned that a Special Polling Station will be set up for a cluster of polling stations. The voting will take place through EVMs only and counting of votes will also take place at the District Head Quarter where the relief camps are located and the results will be transmitted to the concerned Returning Officer/Assistant Returning Officer, it stated. The Internally Displaced Persons are required to submit ID Form to the designated AROs at least 10 days before the date of poll. Adequate number of forms shall be made available at the offices of District Election Officers, designated AROs and at the Relief Camps. A copy of the Scheme is also made available in the websites of Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur and District Election Officers, it added.
It further stated that the Final Photo Electoral Rolls of all 60 (sixty) Assembly Constituencies have been published on 22nd January, 2024 by the concerned Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).
Accordingly, there are 9,80,855 male, 10,47,929 female and 239 Transgender electors. The number of PwD electors stands at 14152, while the number of 85+ electors is 22491. The total number of polling stations is 2955, it stated.
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It mentioned that M-3 EVMs manufactured by Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL) shall be used in all the polling stations. First Level Checking of machines has been completed. There are 5176 Ballot Units, 6584 Control Units and 5321 VVPATs available in the State. Adequate emphasis is also given on creating awareness on EVMs. Demonstration Centres were set up in all District Headquarters for familiarization. Besides, Mobile Demonstration Vans were also used for creating awareness amongst the voters, it stated.
As many as 197 Flying Squad Teams, 194 Static Surveillance Teams, 92 Video Surveillance Teams, 60 Video Viewing Teams, 60 Accounting Teams have been constituted and trained. Various Central as well as State Enforcement Agencies have been sensitized. Candidates are required to open separate bank account (at least one day before filing nomination) for the purpose of expenditure related to elections, it mentioned.
Assembly Segments going for polls in 1st Phase are: 1-Khundrakpam, 2-Heingang, 3-Khurai, 4-Khetrigao, 5-Thongju, 6-Keirao, 7-Andro, 8-Lamlai, 9-Thangmeiband, 10-Uripok, 11-Sagolband, 12-Keisamthong, 13-Singjamei, 14-Yaiskul, 15- Wangkhei, 16-Sekmai (SC), 17-Lamsang, 18-Konthoujam, 19-Patsoi, 20-Langthabal, 21-Naoriya Pakhanglakpa, 22-Wangoi, 23-Mayang Imphal, 24-Nambol, 25-Oinam, 26-Bishenpur, 27- Moirang, 28-Thanga, 29-Kumbi, 30-Lilong, 31-Thoubal, 32-Wangkhem, 33-Heirok, 34- Wangjing Tentha, 35-Khangabok, 36-Wabgai, 37-Kakching, 38-Hiyanglam, 39-Sugnoo, 41- Chandel (ST), 46-Saikul (ST), 50-Kangpokpi, 51-Saitu (ST), 57-Henglep(ST), 58- Churachandpur (ST), 59-Saikot(ST), and 60-Singhat(ST).
Assembly Segments going for polls in the 2nd Phase are: 40-Jiribam, 42-Tengnoupal (ST), 43-Phungyar (ST), 44-Ukhrul (ST), 45-Chingai (ST), 47- Karong (ST), 48-Mao (ST), 49-Tadubi (ST), 52-Tamei (ST), 53-Tamenglong (ST) and 54-Nungba (ST), 55-Tipaimukh (ST) and 56-Thanlon (ST).
