Kangpokpi: Campaigning for the first phase of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly Elections, 2022 ends as the silent period begins from 4 pm Saturday in Kangpokpi district. Two days are left for the 10,0351 (49,631 male and 50,720 female) voters of the district to decide the political fate of 17 (seventeen) candidates contesting in the three assembly constituencies.
The silent period is a ban on political campaigning prior to voting, to give voters a peaceful time to consider and make a final decision on their vote. The period starts from 48 hours prior to the close of the poll. The presence of political functionaries from outside the constituency will be restricted.
Also, election matters shall not be telecasted/broadcasted in radio, TV or similar apparatus, while pre-certification by State/District Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) is mandatory for publication of political advertisement in newspapers during the silent period. Public Meeting, procession among others will also be prohibited.
On poll day, candidates shall not canvas within 100 metres of the polling station and shall also not enter the polling booth with security. No one will be allowed to carry mobile phones inside the polling booth except for the Presiding Officer and Polling Officer-I.
As per Section – 126 of the Representation of People Act 1951, holding public meetings is prohibited during a period of 48-hours ending with an hour fixed for conclusion of the poll. No person shall convene, hold or attend, join or address any public meeting or procession in connection with an election.
No person shall propagate any election matter to the public by holding, or by arranging the holding of any musical concert or any theatrical performance or any other entertainment or amusement with a view to attracting the members of the public thereto, in any polling area. Further, any person who contravenes the above provisions shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Meanwhile dispersal of Polling Parties, Micro Observers (MO) and Sector Officers (SO) in respect of the three assembly constituencies of the Kangpokpi District is scheduled on February 27, 2022. The Dispersal cum Reception Centre (DCRC) for the ACs will be at the Kangpokpi DC Office.
Voter Assistance Booths will be set up in all polling stations. Provisions for pick up/drop facilities for persons with disability (PwD) and aged voters are made available with wheelchair facilities being provided. Dedicated five vehicles for each constituency are deployed in Kangpokpi district for PwD and aged voters. For 80+ and PwD, who have not yet applied for postal ballot will be considered as normal voters.
To ensure safe voting for electors, all polling stations will be sanitised one day before polls. Earmarking of circles, token system will be in place to avoid crowding in polling stations and adequate sanitiser, mask, glove, face shield, PPE kit among others will be provided to polling parties.
LIVE Webcasting will be done in 73 polling stations – 12 in Saikul (ST), 27 in Kangpokpi and 34 in Saitu (ST) Assembly Constituencies and videography will be done in 93 polling stations of the district.
Meanwhile speaking to the DIPR officials of the Kangpokpi District, General Observer Shri Probhudutta David Pradhan, IAS, appealed to the general public for a free and fair election in the district. Wishing good luck to the entire district election team, he appealed to the public to extend cooperation to the polling team.
He also urged everyone to cooperate with the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and police personnel deployed for the smooth conduct of the election. He opined that the polling will be conducted smoothly.
