Imphal: Preparations for counting of votes are on in full swing for the tenth Manipur Assembly elections held on January 28.
The counting will begin at 8 am on March 6. Counting will be done in the respective district headquarters of the nine districts.
Official sources said the District Magistrates of all the nine districts have issued directives in view of the counting.
Prohibitory orders have been issued around the premises of the DC offices.
At Thoubal district, prohibitory orders under CrPC 144 Sub Section two has been issued.
In the counting halls and DC offices, only the election officials on duty, candidates, counting agents and those authorised by the election authority will be allowed.
The entry of vehicles will be restricted to 200 metres around the periphery of the DC complex at Imphal West district where the numbers of candidates and seats are maximum.
A total of 279 candidates, including 14 women candidates, were in the fray for the 60-member Assembly in Manipur.
Out of a total numbers of 17,40,576 electorate, women constituted for 8,82,236 voters while male were 8,583,40.
An estimated 62,152 security personnel were on poll duty in altogether 2,357 polling stations.
While Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is locked in a triangular contest at Thoubal with Manipur People’s Party (MPP) and AITC candidates, Opposition Leader Radhabinod of NCP contested with three other candidates from Thangmeiband.
The main issues in this election were the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 and corruption.
Almost all the political parties have assured to repeal AFSPA if voted to power.
The Congress party, which is fighting on its own had projected candidates in all 60 seats whereas the Trinamool Congress had put up 47 candidates.
The other main contender in the election will be the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) formed by 11 the non-Congress political parties. (UNI)
