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Manipur goes to polls to choose new Assembly amidst tight security
New Delhi, January 28, 2012
Polling officials carrying electronic voting machines (EVMs) and other election material for the Manipur Assembly election, in Thambal district on January 27, 2012.
Polling began in Manipur this morning to elect a new legislative assembly amidst tight security across all 60 constituencies spread over nine districts.
About 350 companies of security personnel, including central para military forces, were deployed besides the state armed police.
As many as 279 candidates, including 15 women, are in the fray in the elections, which are being held against the background of crippling blockades and continuing insurgency.
Manipur is the first of five states going to the polls in the coming weeks to choose new assemblies. The others are Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakand, Punjab and Goa.
A total of 1750304 are eligible to cast their franchise in today's polling, including 858390 men and 891914 women.
The ruling Congress is making a determined bid to win a third successive term in office, riding on the performance of the Okram Ibobi Singh government, which has been able to bring about a semblance of stability in the state in the past few years. Ibobi Singh cast his vote at a polling station in Khangabok of Thoubal district, sources said.
Five opposition parties - Manipur People's Party (MPP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Janata Dal (United) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) - have got together to form an alliance, the People's Democratic Front (PDF).
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Further, the MPP has entered into an understanding with the Bharatiya Janata Party on seats where it or its partners are not contesting. The CPI and the Trinamool Congress have decided not to strike any alliances.
The maximum number of candidates - eight - is in Kshestrigao, while Kakching and Moirang have the least number of contestants at two each.
While the Congress is contesting all 60 seats, the CPI has put up its candidates for 24, the NCP for 22, Trinamool Congress 47, BJP 19, Manipur State Congress Party 31, MPP 14, and CPI(M) for two seats. Others, including independents, account for 60 candidates.
As many as 2365 electronic voting machines will be deployed in 2357 polling stations for the elections, official sources added.
NNN
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