Preparations are afoot for the by-election in four assembly constituencies in Manipur to be held today, 7 November. The four constituencies which will go for the by-polls are Saitu, Lilong, Wangjing Tentha and Wangoi. Around 37.61 pc of the total 1.35 lakh electors exercised their franchise in the first four hours of polling for by-elections to four assembly seats in Manipur on Saturday, amid tight security and strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocol, an Election Commission official said. Polling began at 7 am and no untoward incident has been reported so far, he said.
An estimated 37.61 percent electors cast their ballots till 11 am in 203 polling stations, the Election Commission official said. Over 1.35 lakh voters are entitled to exercise their franchise in the bypolls to Lilong and Wangjing-Tentha seats in Thoubal district, Saitu in Kangpokpi and Wangoi in Imphal West. The voters will decide the destiny of 11 candidates in the four seats. The ruling BJP is contesting in three seats and supporting an independent candidate in Lilong assembly segment, while the opposition Congress is in the battle in all four constituencies.
All safety measures are in place as the voting is taking place in the midst of the raging COVID-19, the official said. Electors with COVID-19 related symptoms will be allowed to vote in the last hour of the poll. All polling personnel have been provided with personal protection equipment Polling will continue till 5 pm, and counting of votes will be conducted on November 10.
Former NPP president T Kipgen and 17 others join BJP in Manipur
Manipur reported 339 corona case, death toll reaches 127