Manipur Election 2022: Thirty-eights seats go to polls today.
With the conclusion of the first phase of Manipur Assembly elections on Monday, the state recorded an average voter turnout of 78.30 per cent, as per the Election Commission of India. The government data shows that the highest voter turnout of 84.25 per cent was witnessed in Imphal West, followed by 83.38 per cent in Kangpokpi. Other districts like Imphal East and Bishnupur recorded an average voter turnout of 76.64 per cent and 74.25 per cent respectively. The lowest voter turnout of 71.53 per cent was recorded in Churachandpur.
Thirty-eight of the states 60 seats voted amid tight security in the troubled northeastern state of Manipur, where the BJP-led alliance is hoping for a second term in power in a multi-cornered contest.
The first phase of polls covers 29 seats in Manipur's valley districts -- Imphal West, Imphal East, and Bishnupur. The rest are in the hill districts of Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and Pherzawl.
Besides the BJP and the Congress, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma's National People's Party is also in the fray this time, contesting 38 seats.
Here are the Highlights on Manipur Election 2022 Phase 1 Voting:
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UP Polls 2022: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel urges people to defeat BJP to get rid of inflation
Ahead of the sixth phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Monday appealed to the people of the state to defeat BJP to get rid of inflation, warning them that "the rates of petrol and diesel will skyrocket soon after Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections".
Seeking votes for Congress candidate Jitendra Pandey contesting from 326 Chauri Chaura Assembly Constituency in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Mr Baghel also urged a public gathering to press the button in favour of the party candidate on voting day on March 3, and assured many welfare schemes announced by the party for them.
Noting that there were by-elections in one Lok Sabha and three Legislative Assemblies in Himachal Pradesh, Mr Baghel said, "Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost all four seats as the polls were held in the name of inflation and unemployment".
Manipur elections: 78.03 pc turnout reported in first phase pollingStray incidents of violence marred the first phase of Manipur assembly elections to 38 constituencies on Monday as 78.03 per cent of around 12.09 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 5 PM when polling ended, an hour after the time announced earlier, officials said.
Naorem Ibochouba, a state police personnel deployed for poll duty in Tipaimukh assembly constituency in Churachandpur district, died in a "suspected case of accidental firing" from his service rifle, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajesh Agarwal said.
The highest voter turnout of 82.97 per cent was recorded in Kangpokpi district followed by Imphal West (82.19 per cent), Imphal East (76.64 per cent) and Churachandpur (74.45 per cent), the officials said.
The final percentage will be available after the return of the polling parties.
Voting at 1721 polling stations was more or less peaceful except for stray incidents of violence as EVMs were damaged by miscreants at Saitu, Henglep and Singhat constituencies.
UP polls: Only BJP has power to make a poor an MLA, says JP Nadda
The BJP candidate from Machhali Shahar in Uttar Pradesh only had Rs 3,000 in his bank account, said Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday emphasizing that only BJP has the power to make a poor man an MLA.
Addressing a rally in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, Mr Nadda said, "I was in Machhlishahr, discussing about the candidate there. You will be surprised to know that one of our workers is contesting elections, he had only Rs 3,000 in his account. It is the BJP that has the power to make a poor man an MLA."
Hailing the leadership of NDA, he said, "We can say with certainty that NDA is another name for development work. Another name for the development of UP is BJP, Nishad Party, and Apna Dal."
The election in the state, he said is not about making sending someone to the assembly or making anyone an MLA but it is about taking Uttar Pradesh on the path of "strong and new development."
Listing the development works done under the incumbent BJP government, Mr Nadda said, "No village left in UP where people defecate in the open."
"BJP provided a dignified life to women," he added praising the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"We work for the women and the poor welfare," the BJP chief said.
He also said, "Till 2014 only 15 (government) medical colleges, while today we have 69 medical colleges (in the state). This means that the state is producing every year 100 MBBS doctors, 100 paramedics, and 100 nurses."
Akhilesh Yadav has two spectacles, sees only one caste from one, one religion from another: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday took a jibe at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and said that he has two spectacles, he sees only one caste from one of them and one religion from the other, adding that if SP comes to power in Uttar Pradesh then the party will only work for one caste and one religion.
"Akhilesh Yadav has two spectacles. From one spectacle, he can see only one caste and from the other spectacle, he can see only one religion, which will not benefit me or you. If Samajwadi Party comes, it would work only for one caste, if BSP comes, it would work for another caste. If BJP comes, everyone would benefit under 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas," Mr Shah said while addressing a public rally here.
Exuding confidence in the BJP breaching the 300 seat mark in the ongoing Assembly elections in the state, the Union Home Minister said that the people have voted the party to a majority in the first five phases of the elections while now "you have to vote in the sixth and seventh phases to breach the 300 mark."
Highlighting the law and order situation in the state, Shah said that if Samajwadi Party is voted to power, Atique Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari will be out of jail.
UP polls: BJP will increase amount given to beneficiaries of women-centric schemes if it retains power, says Yogi Adityanath
To bolster women empowerment, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday promised to increase the amount given to beneficiaries of Mukhayamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana from Rs 51,000 to Rs 1 lakh, and that given to beneficiaries of Mukhayamantri Kanya Sumangla Yojana by Rs 10,000 if BJP retains power in the state.
Addressing an election rally in Deoria, Yogi Adityanath said, "Under Mukhayamantri Kanya Sumangla Yojana Rs 15,000 is being given to daughters that will be increased to Rs 25,000 and the amount for their marriages under Mukhayamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana will be increased from Rs 51,000 to Rs 1 lakh."
He also said, "After March 10 (declaration of results), beneficiaries of Ujjwala Yojana will get free gas cylinders on Diwali and Holi."
UP Polls: BJP has gone past half way mark after 5 phases of polling, says Amit Shah
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah of Monday claimed that the party has already gone past the majority mark after the first five phases of polling in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Addressing a public meeting in Kushinagar, Mr Shah said, "The BJP has reached the majority mark in the first five phases of Uttar Pradesh elections. In the sixth and seventh phases, people have to vote for the BJP to form the government with over 300 seats."
"In 2014, the whole country and Uttar Pradesh made PM Modi ji Prime Minister. For the first time, a non-Congress party won more seats than the half way mark in the UP Assembly. Since then, this winning campaign of the BJP has gone on upwards. This time you have to cross the boundary line of attaining victory," he said.
The Union Minister also slammed the Opposition for promoting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.
"Had Akhilesh Yadav led Samajwadi party regime been here in Uttar Pradesh, people would have seen tough time in the third wave of COVID-19. Opposition misled the public due to their vested interests! Opposition parties created COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy," he said.
Manipur Polls: Election Commission to decide on repoll in Keithelmanbi after clashes between BJP, Cong workers
Amid reports of Manipur poll disruption in Keithelmanbi in Imphal West district, Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Agarwal on Monday said that the state Election Commission is examining whether or not to continue the polls as an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) machine has been found to have been broken.
Speaking with ANI, Agarwal said, "An incident of poll disruption has been reported in Keithelmanbi. This has led to a delay in the polling process. The EVM machine has been broken, and we're examining whether to continue polls here today or go for a repoll."
Reportedly, clashes had broken out between Congress and the BJP supporters in Keithelmanbi after the Opposition party raised allegations of booth capturing.
A total of 173 candidates, including 15 females, are in the fray for the poll.
Voting will continue till 4 pm. The voters who are COVID positive or are under quarantine will be allowed to vote at the last hour, between 3 pm to 4 pm.
We are keeping our options open after polls: NPP leader
Nearly 50 pc voting registered till 1 PM
A voter turnout of 48.88 per cent was recorded till 1 PM for the first phase of Manipur elections, the Election Commission of India informed on Monday.
As of now, 33% voter turnout is recorded. An incident of poll disruption has been reported in Keithelmanbi. This has led to a delay in polling process. EVM machine has been broken, we're examining whether to continue polls here today or go for a repoll: Rajesh Agarwal,CEO Manipur
Voting underway with COVID-19 protocols in placeAll polling stations have been sanitised and circles have been marked outside the polling booths to enable the voters to maintain social distancing while they stand in a queue.
Wearing masks, using hand sanitiser and conducting thermal screening are among the other COVID protocols to be carried out at the polling booths.
Violence mars first phase of Manipur assembly electionsSporadic incidents of violence marred elections to 38 assembly constituencies in the first phase of Manipur assembly polls on Monday. At least one person was injured in a clash between two parties in Churachandpur district. An EVM was damaged, and it was later replaced.
Alleged Congress workers vandalised a BJP polling booth in Kakwa area in Langthabal constituency in Imphal West district, while a vehicle of an NPP candidate was damaged by supporters of a rival group in Keirao seat
Various measures have been put in place to facilitate elderly voters and PwD voters
"We will be key to formation of next government": Joykishan Singh, JD(U) leader
Over 30 per cent polling recorded in Manipur till 12 noon in the first phase of polls
Vote in large numbers for insurgency, blockade free Manipur, says Amit ShahUnion Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday urged the people of Manipur, especially the youth, to vote in large numbers in the ongoing polling for Manipur Assembly elections.
Nearly 12% voter turnout recorded till 10 am
As polling for the first phase of Manipur Assembly elections is underway, State Election Commission on Monday informed that the voter turnout touched 11.68 per cent in the state till 10 am.
Manipur Governor La Ganesan casts vote in Imphal
Manipur Governor La Ganesan on Monday cast his vote at Tamphasana Girls' Higher Secondary School in Imphal as voting for the first phase of Manipur elections commenced.
9.9% Voter Turnout Till 9 AM, Highest Polling In Kangpokpi
9.9 per cent polling has taken place till 9 am in the first phase of polling in Manipur today. Kangpokpi district witnessed the highest turnout of 13.3 percent. The lowest turnout was reported from Churachandpur.
Manipur Polls: Congress Expels Candidate Hours Before Polls Begin
In an unprecedented move hours before the phase 1 polls in Manipur, Congress has expelled its candidate for allegedly supporting the BJP candidate.
The party expelled Salam Joy Singh from primary membership of the Congress Party, Congress sources added for breach of "disciplinary rules" after the party continuously received reports from Congress workers and leaders from Wangoi Assembly Constituency including some viral videos.
38 Seats To Vote Today In Manipur Today
Thirty-eight of the states 60 seats vote amid tight security in the troubled northeastern state of Manipur, where the BJP-led alliance is hoping for a second term in power in a multi-cornered contest.
The first phase of polls covers 29 seats in Manipur's valley districts -- Imphal West, Imphal East, and Bishnupur. The rest are in the hill districts of Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and Pherzawl.
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