IMPHAL: Over 290 candidates are in the fray for the 60-member Manipur Assembly elections scheduled on January 28, election office said on Friday. Scrutiny of nomination papers was completed on Thursday and 291 of them were found valid after rejecting others.
Withdrawal of nomination has been fixed for Saturday and the exact number of candidates who would remain in the poll fight would be known on Saturday evening if reports from concerned returning officers are received by then, the sources said.
Two candidates, Y Mangi of Manipur People’s Party (MPP) who has entered the contest for Heingang constituency in Imphal east district. Independent candidate Itomba Singh for Keirao seat in Imphal east district would contest the polls from jail.
The two had been arrested for alleged links with militants.
Election office said there would be 2357 polling stations in the state and except 160 of them, the rest has been declared hyper-sensitive and sensitive. Manipur has a 60-member Assembly.
Of the 350 companies (comprising approximately 3,500 personnel) of security personnel, including 280 companies of para military forces, to be deployed in the insurgency-hit state 127 companies have already arrived. The rest would be sent from the neighbouring states.
Besides, Manipur state armed police and other forces would also be deployed, official sources said.
Eight political parties recognised by the Election Commission of India including Congress, NCP, BJP, JD(U), Trinamool Congress and other smaller parties and independents would contest the forthcoming polls.
UPA allies Congress and Trinamool Congress will cross swords in the Manipur Assembly polls with both parties putting up 60 and 47 candidates respectively.
While Congress is contesting in all the seats, this will be the first time that Trinamool is entering the assembly poll fray in a big way. The only Trinamool MLA, Sarat Singh, had made it to the House after winning the by-poll for Konthoujam seat in Imphal West district last year.
Prominent candidates in the fray are Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Forest Minister Th Debendra Singh, Food and Civil Supply Minister Y Erabot, Works Minister Ranjit Singh (all Congress), senior NCP leader and former chief minister Radhabinod Koijam, Manipur People’s Party (MPP) president Nimaichand Luwang and senior MPP leader L Chandramani, election office sources said. Election office sources said central and state forces have been provided to all the candidates irrespective of party affiliation.
Eight insurgent outfits have ‘banned’ the Congress ahead of the January 28 polls for being against what they called the ‘revolutionary movement’ in the state and has been carrying out grenade attacks since last two weeks. (PTI)