Voting ends in Manipur, moderate to heavy polling
Feb 8, 2007 - 5:49:22 PM
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The battle lines are drawn with the ruling Congress taking on regional challenger, the MPP. The controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act -, 1958, dominates the agenda of all political parties.
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By Syed Zarir Hussain, IANS,
[RxPG] Thoubal -, Feb 8 - Moderate to heavy polling was recorded Thursday in 19 constituencies in the first of the three-phase assembly elections in Manipur, with no major incidents of violence, officials said.
An election official said despite morning showers, people were enthusiastic about voting.
'A final estimate of the voting will be available after sometime although heavy to moderate polling was reported from all the 19 constituencies,' the official said.
Barring a few stray incidents, polling passed off peacefully.
The fate of 77 candidates in 19 assembly constituencies in the insurgency ravaged districts of Thoubal, Ukhrul and Senapati have been sealed. The total number of voters in Manipur is 1.7 million, out of nearly 2.4 million people.
In the second phase of election for the 60-member assembly, polling would take place in 29 constituencies on Feb 14. The remaining 12 constituencies would go to the polls Feb 23. Counting of votes begins Feb 27.
Among the prominent candidates in the field were: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Speaker Manir Udin Sheikh and former finance minister Chungkhokai Doungel.
The chief minister is contesting from two constituencies - Thoubal and neighbouring Khangabok. Senior Manipur People's Party - leader L. Tomba Singh is pitted against the chief minister in Thoubal.
The battle lines are drawn with the ruling Congress taking on regional challenger, the MPP. The controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act -, 1958, dominates the agenda of all political parties.
The AFPSA, an anti-terror law that provides sweeping powers to the security forces in the region, is the focal point in the electioneering - almost all the opposition parties are demanding its repeal saying the 'draconian legislation' was a slur on democracy as it infringed on basic human rights.
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