Manipur Assembly Elections 2017, Phase 1: As it happened

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.

The election is seen as a major test for the Okram Ibobi Singh-led Congress government in the state which has been in power for the last 15 years.
 

The Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded candidates to all the 38 constituencies while the ruling Congress has fielded one less.
 

In the first phase prominent political figures of the state like Speaker Th Lokeswar Singh, ministers I Hemochandra Singh, Govindas Konthoujam, Kh Ratankumar Singh and T Manga Vaiphei, Manipur PCC president TN Haokip, former ministers Phungzathang Tonsing, and Y Erabot Singh and BJP leader Th Chaoba Singh are in the election fray, the EC said.

"Today is the first phase of the Manipur Assembly polls. I appeal to voters in the seats polling today to turnout in record numbers & vote," tweets Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The rest of the security forces will be deployed in the polling stations, the EC said, adding that the Manipur Police will not be be deployed in them.
 

Out of these, 30 companies are being kept for looking after the two national highways connecting Imphal and other states in view of the four-month-old indefinite economic blockade by United Naga Council (UNC).
 

Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal tweets: "Urge the people of Manipur to participate in this festival of democracy & vote for development, to build the state of our dreams."

For maintaining peaceful polling 280 companies of central paramilitary forces and armed police of other states have been deployed.

The constituencies are spread across Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Pherzawl districts.
 

Of the total 1,643 polling station where polling is being held, the EC has identified 837 polling stations as hyper sensitive and 529 as sensitive.

An electorate of 19,02,562 comprising 9,28,573 male and 9,73,989 female voters will decide the fate of 168 candidates. The number of new voters is 45,642.

Voting for the first phase of polling in Manipur covering 38 constituencies began on Saturday amidst tight security. Polling began at 7 am and will end at 3 pm, the Election Commission (EC) said.