Manipur to go to polls on April 19, 26; vote count on June 4

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 16: Manipur will go to polls for the 18th Lok Sabha in two phases on April 19 and April 26.
As per the schedule of the general elections to the 18th Lok Sabha, 2024 announced by the Election Commission of India on Saturday with respect to Manipur, election notification for both the first phase and second phase would be issued on March 20.
Last date of filing nominations for both the first phase and second phase is March 27.
The last date for withdrawal of candidatures has been fixed on March 30 after scrutiny of nominations for both the first and second phases is done on March 28.
Votes would be counted on June 4, and the entire election process would be completed before June 6.
Altogether 47 Assembly segments would go to polls in the first phase on April 19.
The 47 Assembly segments are; l-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-Bishnupur, 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).  
The remaining 13 Assembly segments which would go to polls in the second phase on April 26 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-Tameng-long (ST), 54-Nungba (ST), 55-Tipaimukh (ST) and 56-Thanlon (ST).
Speaking to media persons at his Lamphelpat office this evening, Chief Electoral Officer Manipur PK Jha said that the model code of conduct has come into effect immediately with the announcement of the election schedule by the Election Commission of India, and it will be applicable across the State.    
To queries raised by media persons, PK Jha said that the existing law and order situation of Manipur has been comprehensively reviewed together with District Magistrates and SPs.
Required number of paramilitary forces would be requisitioned and licensed gun holders would be directed to deposit their arms at police stations. District administrations have already  issued notifications to this effect, he said.
Police and paramilitary forces would be deployed to check transportation of illegal arms. Around 200 companies of paramilitary forces maybe deployed in Manipur for the Lok Sabha elections, the CEO said.
People displaced from the State and currently taking shelter in other States must come to their home polling stations or the special polling stations opened at relief camps. The office of the CEO has little information on those people staying outside Manipur, PK Jha said.
The CEO directed all intending candidates, political parties, the State and the Union Governments and all stakeholders to comply strictly with the model code of conduct with immediate effect till the election process is completed.
The final photo electoral rolls of all the 60 Assembly Constituencies were 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.
M-3 EVMs manufactured by Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL) shall be used in all the polling stations, PK Jha said.
He informed that 197 flying squad teams, 194 static surveillance teams, 92 video surveillance teams, 60 video viewing teams, 60 accounting teams have been constituted and trained.
He said that candidates are required to open separate bank account (at least one day before filing nomination) for the purpose of expenditure related to elections.
A total of 1058 polling stations have been identified as vulnerable and critical.
Steps have also been taken to identify history sheeters, trouble mongers and persons causing vulnerability and are bound down under CrPC.
Besides deploying micro observers, these critical and vulnerable polling stations would be brought under webcasting/videography. Additional CAPF will also be deployed in such polling stations, he said.
State level MCMC (Media Certification & Monitoring Committee), pre-certification committee and district MCMC have been constituted to pre-certify political advertisements and check paid news.
Political parties/candidates have to apply at least 48 hours in advance for publication of political advertisements in electronic media including social media. All political advertisements to be published in electronic media shall be mandatorily pre-certified by MCMC, he said.
Various IT applications including Know Your Candidate (KYC) App, Suvidha App, Saksham App for Persons with Disabilities, c-Vigil App, eAtlas App, Poll Star will be used.
Permission should be obtained online for holding meeting, campaign etc. by candidates/political parties 48 hours in advance through Suvidha App, the CEO continued.
He said that complaints may be lodged by any citizen through c-Vigil where a complainant may upload picture/video and report MCC violation.
The Election Commission has made provision for postal ballot to Persons with Disabilities whose names are marked in the electoral rolls and who possess disability certificates. This facility is also extended to senior citizens above the age of 85.
PwD electors will also be provided with vehicles, volunteers and wheelchairs wherever required, he assured.
He added that adequate number of general observers, police observers and expenditure observers would be deployed in the State.