Elections in Manipur will be held in two phases — on 4 March and 8 March — with the results being declared on 11 March. Representatives from 60 constituencies will be elected. The previous Assembly election, held in 2012, resulted in a landslide victory for the Congress, giving them 42 seats and allowing Okram Ibobi Singh to be re-elected as chief minister for an unprecedented third consecutive term. [caption id=“attachment_3302850” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. Reuters[/caption] While Manipur has been a Congress stronghold for over a decade, thanks to the leadership of Ibobi, a savvy political operator, the BJP has been upbeat about its chances, buoyed undoubtedly by its success in last year’s Assam elections. All eyes are also on Irom Sharmila, who shocked many political observers by giving up her 16-year fast against the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (Afspa), and decided to enter politics. Manipur’s Iron Lady has formed the People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) and will be taking on the chief minister in his own den — Thoubal constituency — only time will tell if this is a masterstroke or a blunder. Sharmila, while announcing her decision, had said: “During his 15 years of leadership he has not done anything to repeal Afspa. Since I realise that no politician shall repeal it, I am planning to contest the election, become the chief minister and repeal it.” Here are some quick facts about the state: Number of Parliamentary Constituencies: 2 Number of Assembly Constituencies: 60 The present ruling party: Indian National Congress Opposition Party: Trinamool Congress Chief Minister: Okram Ibobi Singh Governor: Dr. Najma A. Heptulla Chief Electoral Officer: Oinam Nabakishore Singh Political Parties in Manipur The Indian National Congress (INC) The Bharatiya Janata Party The Rashtriya Janata Dal The Nationalist Congress Party The main regional political parties are : Democratic Revolutionary Peoples Party Manipur State Congress party Lok Jan Shakti Party All India Trinamool Congress Manipur People’s Party (MPP) Federal Party of Manipur Manipur National Conference Naga People’s Front National People’s Party (India) Nikhil Manipuri MahasabhaManipur Assembly Election 2017
Manipur Election 2017 Highlights: Polling ends in state at 3 pm; voter turnout likely to be more than 80%
Elections in Manipur will be held in two phases — on 4 March and 8 March — with the results being declared on 11 March. Representatives from 60 constituencies will be elected.
 "Manipur Election 2017 Highlights: Polling ends in state at 3 pm; voter turnout likely to be more than 80%")
Manipur Election 2017: Peaceful repolls reported in eight districts
Peaceful repolls were reported in 34 polling stations in eight districts of Manipur on Thursday.
Voters stand in queues at a polling booth in Manipur. PTIVoters stand in queues at a polling booth in Manipur. PTI
State Chief Election Officer Vivek Kumar Dewangan disclosed that the repolls were being held as per directives of the Election Commission.
There was tight security at the polling stations to ensure that there was no untoward incident.
Read more hereBJP blames Manipur CEO for ads goof-up, set to file counter FIR
Manipur unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to file a counter-FIR against the State Election Commission (SEC) for “mentally harassing” the party’s office bearers, and for allegedly creating confusion with regards to advertisements that were published in local dailies in Imphal, Manipur, on 3 March.
Read more here.6 injured in Imphal IED blast
At least six persons including four women sustained injury in an IED blast near Kasturi Bridge in the hear of Imphal city on Wednesday evening at about 5.40 pm as the last phase Manipur polls ended. The police said that the two women among the five injured in the blast, which took place in the Kasturi Thong area in Imphal, were admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Science, a government hospital.
Read more hereRepoll in 34 stations on 10 March
State Chief Electoral Officer VK Dewangan has ordered repoll in 34 polling stations which went to the hustings in the first phase on 4 March. The re-poll will take place on 9 March from 7am till 3pm in the 34 polling stations. CEO Manipur Vivekumar Dewangan said re-polling would be held in five polling stations of Andro AC, one each in Uripok, Saikot and Singhat AC, 12 in Saikul, three in Saitu, six in Thanlon and five in Henglep.
Second phase of polling ends in Manipur
Polling ends at 3 pm in the second and last phase of #ManipurElection2017 pic.twitter.com/miuhmwwktJ
— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2017
Voter turnout at 78% till 2 pm
Voter turnout of 78% recorded in #ManipurElection2017 till 2 pm pic.twitter.com/jOAOsoVNWg
— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2017
Voter turnout at 78% till 2 pm
Voter turnout of 78% recorded in #ManipurElection2017 till 2 pm pic.twitter.com/jOAOsoVNWg
— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2017
Voter turnout at 67% till 1 pm
Voter turnout of 67% recorded till 1 pm in second & final phase of voting in #ManipurElection2017 pic.twitter.com/1QXIUaMmve
— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2017
Voter turnout at 56% till 12 pm
#ManipurElection2017 | #Manipur records 56% voter turnout till 12 noon in Phase 2 #AssemblyElections2017https://t.co/tP0ZloLZBI pic.twitter.com/3aCiB7a6pi
— NDTV (@ndtv) March 8, 2017
HuffPost-CVoter opinion poll predictions in Manipur
BJP: 23 seats.
Congress: 19 seats.
Smaller parties and independents: 18 seats.
Voter turnout at 45% at 11 am
#ManipurElection2017 | #Manipur records 45% voter turnout till 11 am in Phase 2 #AssemblyElections2017
— NDTV (@ndtv) March 8, 2017
Live updates https://t.co/tP0ZloLZBI pic.twitter.com/WKpYqLYNM5
Watch: Ibobi Singh’s reaction when asked about Irom Sharmila contesting Manipur elections
Ibobi Singh laughs when News18's @SubhajitSG asks the three time CM about Irom Sharmila contesting in the Manipur Elections #ManipurVotes pic.twitter.com/rycsgZlHkO
— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 8, 2017
Manipur opinion poll
HuffPost-CVoter poll has predicted that the Congress will win fewer seats than the BJP in Manipur. According to the poll, the BJP’s voteshare in the state will see a huge increase—from 2.1 percent in 2012 to 32.1 percent in this election—meanwhile, the Congress’ voteshare is estimated to fall from 42.4 percent in 2012 to 31.3 percent.
21% voter turnout recorded till 9 AM in the final phase of Manipur elections. pic.twitter.com/fDN3H4gjj6
— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2017
20 percent voter turnout till 9 pm
According to NDTV, there is 20 percent voter turnout in Manipur till 9 pm
#ManipurElection2017 | #Manipur records 20% voter turnout till 9 am in Phase 2 #AssemblyElections2017
— NDTV (@ndtv) March 8, 2017
Live updates: https://t.co/tP0ZloLZBI pic.twitter.com/o4HNipXuUY
#ManipurElection2017: Lone BJP candidate with criminal past in Phase 2 #Manipur #AssemblyElections2017 https://t.co/FF4lP3NlWf pic.twitter.com/Q3bf2VEI4W
— NDTV (@ndtv) March 8, 2017
EVM at polling booth vandalized in Imphal
Imphal: Electronic Voting Machine was vandalized by the supporters of a particular candidate as polling began at 34/12 Wangjing Tentha AC in Thoubal district, prompting security forces to fire several rounds of shots to disperse the mob.
The incident took place at about 7.50 am on Wednesday morning.
Report said that voting for the said polling station began without polling agents of BJP and CPI candidates. The said polling agents protested against the presiding officer and vandalized the EVM.
Piyush Goyal urges voters to come out and vote in Manipur
Inviting people to come out today in large numbers & vote for building a developed and prosperous Manipur of our dreams. pic.twitter.com/VYvMAlI23p
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 8, 2017
Ibobi’s son Surajkumar confident about victory
On Wednesday, Okram Surjakumar Singh (Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh’s son) contesting from Khangabok constituency casted his vote. He said, “Sure of our win, we are confident.”
Sure of our win, we are confident: Okram Surjakumar Singh (Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh's son) contesting from Khangabok constituency pic.twitter.com/jTFet96kcf
— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2017
#ManipurPolls2017: First time voters cast their vote at polling booth 35/41 at Athokpam Makha Leikai PO in Thoubal pic.twitter.com/uUP5UEPu0I
— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2017
Final phase of voting begins in Manipur
The final phase for polling begins in Manipur covering 22 constituencies. Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh went to the polling booth 35/41 at Athokpam Makha Leikai PO in Thoubal to cast his vote. PRJA’s Irom Sharmila is also contesting from this seat. After casting his vote, he said, “Will get a clear mandate, this election is something like a referendum, both hill and the valley.”
#FLASH: Final phase polling begins for assembly elections in Manipur covering 22 constituencies, CM Okram Ibobi Singh casts his vote pic.twitter.com/eyvhEqhbD8
— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2017
Churachandpur poll agents abducted, beaten up
Two Churachandpur polling agents of independent candidate K Paikhansuan were abducted late Sunday night and assaulted. The incident occurred around 11 pm. The youth were abducted by unknown armed persons and later released after being beaten up, a source said.
Condemning the incident, Young Paite Association called for a total shutdown from 7 am to 5 pm on Monday. Normal life was affected in the town.
Irom Sharmila seeks votes by going door to door in Thoubal
On the last day of campaigning for the second phase of Manipur polls, anti-AFSPA activist Irom Sharmila went door to door seeking votes in Thoubal Assembly constituency.
Sharmila, contesting the election as a candidate of her People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), is taking on Congress nominee Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and BJP nominee Th Jadumani in Thoubal Assembly constituency.
Sharmila formed the party to continue her struggle against Afspa after ending her 16-year long fast in 2016. The second phase of polls in Manipur will be held on 8 March.
Manipur Congress president: BJP only changing names of UPA programmes
Launching a scathing attack on BJP government at the centre, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president TN Haokip alleged that the government has done nothing since it came to power in 2014.
“Most of the so-called developmental works which are now carried out by the BJP government are the projects and policies introduced by UPA government. The BJP is just changing the names of the UPA programmes”, Haokip said.
Exuding confidence of a Congress victory in the Manipur Assembly polls, Haokip predicted that his party would win 40 out of 60 seats and said communal and divisive elements such as the BJP would not win even 10 seats.
Gunfight between suspected Kuki militants
A fierce gun battle took place on Monday afternoon between suspected Kuki militant groups operating in Kangpokpi district. The incident took place around 4:40 pm at the hillock above Khengjang village, which is around 18 kilometres from the National Highway 2.
The gunfight was suspected to be between militants from the Kuki National Organisation and the United People’s Front. Villagers said that they heard a bomb being detonated along with gunshots during the encounter, which lasted for an hour.
Four Kuki militants nabbed with arms
A troop of 25 Assam Rifles apprehended four Kuki National Front (P) militants at Churachandpur on early Sunday morning. The militants were nabbed at 5.30 am. Two AK-56 rifles, two pistols, four cell phones and 148 rounds were recovered during the counter-insurgency operation. The militants were then handed over to the Churachandpur police.
Manipur Congress president TN Haokip: BJP, UNC two faces of same coin
State unit Congress president TN Haokip has said that the BJP and the United Naga Council are the two faces of the same coin.
Haokip also said he was confident of the Congress winning 40 seats in Manipur Assembly polls. The second and final phase of polling will be held on 8 March.
Over 80% voter turnout in Manipur
Over 80 percent voter turnout 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. The second and final phase of polling will be held on 8 March.
Polling time for the first phase of Manipur Election 2017 ends.
Polling time for the first phase of #ManipurElection2017 ends. pic.twitter.com/5GDaHTwOff
— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2017
Performance of political parties in previous elections
Despite widespread campaigning by the BJP in Manipur, experts believe it’s going to be a close contest between Congress and BJP. Congress has historically done well in the state and even during the 2014 Loksabha elections, they swept the state. However BJP’s close tie-up with the NPF and their obvious support for the Naga cause makes them strong contenders in the state.
Erendro’s Leichombam political agenda focuses on justice
Talking to Firstpost about his campaign agenda, Erendro shed light on his agenda which focuses on justice. Here is a small excerpt.
“Our idea is not to punish people. Our idea is not of retrospective application. Our idea of justice is like, for example, meritocracy: people who deserve a job rightfully will get it and not those who can pay. Another example is our endeavour to repeal Afspa. We are not second class citizens of India. We are following the same Constitution. We don’t appreciate this step-motherly treatment. Even the National Anthem excludes us. It ends with ‘Banga’. Are we not part of the Union of India? We want to see that the Manipuris have the same rights as all other Indians. There is also a nexus between the contractors and politicians. They have to face the law of the country, and that is justice. There are honest, hard-working and law-abiding people in Manipur, and restoring their faith in the system is justice. Again, Manipur suffers from insurgency from cessationist forces. Bringing them for dialogue is justice.”
Read the full story here
Erendro’s Leichombam political agenda focuses on justice
Talking to Firstpost about his campaign agenda, Erendro shed light on his agenda which focuses on justice. Here is a small excerpt.
“Our idea is not to punish people. Our idea is not of retrospective application. Our idea of justice is like, for example, meritocracy: people who deserve a job rightfully will get it and not those who can pay. Another example is our endeavour to repeal Afspa. We are not second class citizens of India. We are following the same Constitution. We don’t appreciate this step-motherly treatment. Even the National Anthem excludes us. It ends with ‘Banga’. Are we not part of the Union of India? We want to see that the Manipuris have the same rights as all other Indians. There is also a nexus between the contractors and politicians. They have to face the law of the country, and that is justice. There are honest, hard-working and law-abiding people in Manipur, and restoring their faith in the system is justice. Again, Manipur suffers from insurgency from cessationist forces. Bringing them for dialogue is justice.”
Read the full story here
#ManipurPolls: Heavy polling is reported from most of polling stations in 1st phase of state #Assemblyelection.#PollsWithAIR
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) March 4, 2017
Irom Sharmila’s PRJA candidate Erendro attacked by unknown persons in Manipur
The 33-year-old Harvard-educated Erendro Leichombam, was attacked by unknown people in Manipur on the day of the first phase of polls in the state. This US-returned former World Bank Fellow, who also served in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is the convener of People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), a party started by Irom Sharmila. Trained in Economics at the Soka University of America and in Mathematics at the University of California, Irvine, Erendro refused to live the life of an NRI and joined Irom Sharmila’s party to bring about a social change in his home state.
Read Firstpost’s interview with Erendro Leichombam here .
#ManipurElection2017: Irom Sharmila's PRJA candidate Erendro attacked by unknown persons. pic.twitter.com/9sT0vWXPIP
— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2017
Voter turnout till 1 pm 69 percent, officials expect it to rise post 2 pm
On Saturday, in the first phase of the Manipur Assembly election, the voter turnout is 69 percent till 2 pm. This total voter turnout in 2012 election was 79.19 percent, which is likely to be surpassed in the current elections.
In 2012, Indian National Congress won majority of the seats and incumbent chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh was re-elected for the post.
State Nodal Officer (Elections) W Chandrakumar Singh told PTI on Saturday, “given the circumstances in the state and the nature of voting, turnout is likely to increase after 2 pm.”
#ManipurElection2017: 69% voting recorded till 1 pm in the first phase. pic.twitter.com/m6tjAQau8w
— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2017
BJP leader Nitin Gadkari to speak in Manipur
Schedule of Shri @nitin_gadkari's public meeting in Manipur today. @BJP4Manipur pic.twitter.com/8rQU1Azrks
— BJP LIVE (@BJPLive) March 4, 2017
Congress, BJP emerge as equal contenders as Modi’s rally gives needed push to saffron party
The possibility of a hung assembly gains prominence as both BJP and Congress take on each other with equal might in the assembly constituencies based in the Meitei dominated valleys.
Manipur elects at least three Muslim candidates to its Assembly every year, but the BJP has fielded only one candidate from the party, whereas the Congress has fielded three of them. On the other hand, the Naga People’s Front a regional political party, that is also a part of the NDA at the centre is likely to emerge as a major player in the Naga dominated hills.
Read the full article here
Rajnath Singh urges voters to cast their votes in Manipur
Voting for the 1st phase of Manipur Assembly elections is going on. I appeal to the voters to come out and exercise their franchise
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 4, 2017
Irom Sharmila talks to CNN-News 18
Soon after casting her vote, PRJA leader Irom Sharmila talked to CNN-News 18 and expressed that she is confident about bringing change in Manipur. She said, “People want to see change and we are confident to bring this change in Manipur. The response from youngsters is also positive. We are confident to win from Khangabok Constituency against the state CM on March 8. We don’t believe in muscle and money power:”
The X-Factor of this election Sharmila casts her vote. Says she feels responsible after voting after a gap of 20 years. #manipurpolls pic.twitter.com/ELs5qwjMZc
— Subhajit Sengupta (@SubhajitSG) March 4, 2017
#ManipurElection2017: 43% voting recorded till 11 am in the first phase. pic.twitter.com/QbLeovdGu4
— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2017
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