Manipur Assembly Elections 2017, Phase 1: Polling ends, over 80% turnout recorded

Imphal: Polling was held on Saturday for the first phase in 38 Manipur constituencies for the 11th state Legislative Assembly amid tight security. The constituencies were spread across Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Phezerol districts.
Central paramilitary forces personnel were manning all polling stations. No other persons, other than voters, were allowed inside.
The Election Commission says the turnout figure would go up as long queues are still seen outside various booths. “In the last two elections, it was around 80 percent. This time it is likely to increase. We are waiting for the final figures, which we will get after 5.30 pm,” OSD to Chief Electoral officer Manipur, Karam Bono Singh tells PTI.
Over 80 percent voting was recorded in the first phase of polling in Manipur in 38 constituencies spread across six districts in the hill state. Officials said the final figure would go higher as this was only the preliminary report at 3 pm when polling officially ended.
Polling time for the first phase of Manipur Elections 2017 ends.
Brisk polling with a voter turnout of 69 percent was recorded till 1 pm in the first phase of Manipur Assembly Election today. State Nodal Officer (Elections) W Chandrakumar Singh told PTI, “given the circumstances in the state and the nature of voting, turnout is likely to increase after 2 pm.”
Erendro Leichombam, the candidate belonging to Irom Sharmila’s People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) party, has been attacked by members of rival contesting party in Imphal. He has been taken to a hospital, reports India Today.
For the first time, police and state forces are not allowed inside the polling stations.
43 percent polling was reported amid tight security from most of the 38 Assembly constituencies in Manipur till 11 am. Irom Sharmila, the human rights campaigner, was among those who cast votes early in the morning.
After casting her vote at booth no. 3/39 of Khurai Assembly constituency, PRJA chief Irom Chanu Sharmila said, “I am fully confident of winning the election.”
A total of 21 percent voter turnout was recorded till 9 am in the first phase of Assembly Elections in Manipur.
Differently abled people and the elderly are being assisted at polling booth no. 3/40 in Kongpal (Khurai, Imphal East).
10% voter turnout recorded in the first hour of the Manipur first phase elections.