The Hindu : Front Page : 80 % vote in Manipur phase I poll

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Friday, Feb 09, 2007
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80 % vote in Manipur phase I poll

Sushanta Talukdar and Iboyaima Laithangbam

Voting by and large peaceful in 19 constituencies in three districts

PHOTO: PTI

RAIN OR SHINE: Voters turned out in strength for the first phase of Assembly elections, despite heavy rain in Manipur on Thursday.

Khangabok: Braving a downpour, 80-82 per cent of the voters exercised their franchise in 19 constituencies in the first phase of the Manipur Assembly elections on Thursday.

Polling was peaceful barring incidents of disturbances by underground outfits and group clashes in four booths in Senapati district.

The highest polling of 85 per cent was recorded in the Naga-dominated areas of Senapati district, while in Thoubal district it was 70 per cent and in Ukhrul district 63 per cent. Total voting figures from far-flung booths were awaited.

Complaints of rigging and booth capturing in some Naga-dominated areas of the hill districts of Senapati and Ukhrul were lodged but additional Chief Electoral Officer P.K. Singh said there was no such official report.

Congress demands repoll

The Congress demanded a repoll in the Tadubi constituency in Senapati district, from where Power Minister Farncis Ngajokpa is seeking re-election. In a complaint, it alleged that cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) had captured a majority of the booths and rigged the poll in favour of the United Naga Council (UNC)-sponsored K. Raina.

In his report to the Election Commission, the Additional CEO said no vote was cast in four polling stations in Senapati district as villagers there decided not to vote, while in another station in Ukhrul district no voter turned out. In the Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi constituency in Senapati district, underground elements disturbed polling in one booth but it was resumed after a small break. Polling was stopped also in four other booths in the district following clashes between groups of voters. In all, 16 electronic voting machines were replaced in the three districts.

Mr. Singh said no repoll was ordered.

In Ukhrul district, there were reports of snatching of an EVM in the Marwa polling station in the Phungyar constituency. Polling could not be held in a booth in the Kakching constituency in Thoubal district owing to a technical snag in the EVM.

Ibobi optimistic

In Thoubal district, heavy polling was witnessed in most of the constituencies, particularly in Khangabok and Thoubal from where Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is contesting. Coming out of a polling station in the Khangabok constituency, he told The Hindu that he was hopeful of the Congress getting an absolute majority and forming a government on its own for another term.

His rival Laishram Jatra of the Manipur People's Party (MPP), who had won from Khangabok twice, Mr Jatra, is equally hopeful of wresting the seat. "I am sure to get a landslide victory." he said.While in the Naga-dominated areas it was the Congress versus the UNC- backed candidates, in the 10 constituencies in Thoubal district the fight was essentially between the Congress and the MPP, both promising the voter to protect Manipur's territorial integrity. The MPP focussed also on the demand for withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958, while the Congress harped on the stability factor.

Mr Ibobi Singh is the first Chief Minister to have completed the full five-year term in Manipur.

The UNC said the candidates backed by it would take up in the Assembly the cause of integration of Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur with Nagaland.

There are 60 constituencies in the State, where two more phases of the election remain to be held.

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