Decks cleared for by-polls in 4 ACs today

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 6 : The stage has been all set for the  by-polls to the four Assembly segments of Wangoi, Saitu, Wangjing-Tentha and Lilong.
Altogether 1,33,136 voters (64,181 males; 67,182 females and 1765 service voters) are expected to exercise their right to adult franchise at 203 polling stations spread across the four Assembly segments.
Designated polling personnel have reached their respective polling stations.
A total of 1827 polling personnel would be on duty and each polling station would be manned by nine polling personnel including one videographer.
Wangoi AC has 41 polling stations and 28,135 voters; Lilong AC has 49 polling stations and 32,750 voters; Wangjing-Tentha AC has 43 polling stations and 31,662 voters and Saitu AC has 70 polling stations and 40,589 voters.
19 sensitive and 19 other hyper-sensitive polling stations have been identified and Central Armed Police personnel would be deployed at these polling stations, sources informed.
As the by-election is being held amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, police have taken up stringent safety measures. Adequate measures have also been put in place so that each voter can vote for the candidate of his/her choice in a free and fair manner. ASHA and Anganwadi workers would be stationed at the polling stations and they would provide face masks, hand sanitisers and hand gloves to all the voters.
11 candidates are fighting for the four Assembly seats. While ruling BJP is fielding three candidates and supports an Independent candidate, its coalition partner NPP is putting up one candidate. Opposition Congress is fielding candidates in all the four Assembly segments.