Imphal: Despite appeals from several quarters to either delay or postpone the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha election given the present unrest in Manipur, the Election Commission of India Saturday announced the date of the election for the two LS seats, which will be held in two phases.
The state will be voting on April 19 and 26 for its Inner and Outer Parliamentary constituencies respectively, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said in Delhi, adding that voters living in relief camps in the state will also be allowed to vote from their respective places.
Detailing on the poll preparedness and schedules, Manipur’s Chief Election Officer, Pradeep Kumar Jha, speaking to media persons, said for both seats, Issue of Notification will be announced on 20th March, 2024; the Last date of making nominations for both seats is on 27th March 2024; Scrutiny of Nominations is on 28th March, 2024; and Last date for withdrawal of Candidatures is on 30th March 2024.
He further noted that counting of votes will be conducted on 4th June and the date before which the election process shall be completed is on 6th June, 2024.
Assembly Segments going for polls in First Phase:
l-Khundrakpam, 2-Heingang, 3-Khurai, 4-Khetrigao, 5-Thongju, 6-Keirao, 7-Andro, 8-Lam[ai, 9-Thangmeiband, IO-Uripok, II-Sagolband, 12-Keisamthong, 13-Singjamei, 14-Yaiskul, 15- Wangkhei, 16-Sekmai (SC), 17-Lamsang, 18-Konthoujam, 19-Patsoi, 20-Langthabal, 21-Naoriya Pakhanglakpa, 22-Wangoi, 23-Mayang Imphal, 24-Nambol, 25-0inam, 26-Bishenpur, 27- Moirang, 28-Thanga, 29-Kumbi. 30-Lilong, 31-Thoubal, 32-Wangkhem, 33-Heirok, 34- Wangjing Tentha, 35-Khangabok, 36-Wabgai, 37-Kakching, 38-l-liyanglam, 39-Sugnoo, 41- Chandel (Sn, 46-Saikul (Sn, 50-Kangpokpi, 51-Saitu (ST), 57-Henglep(Sn, 58- Churachandpur CST), 59-Saikot(ST), and 60-Singhat(ST).
Assembly Segments going for polls in Second Phase:
40-Jiribam, 42-Tengnoupal CST), 43-Phungyar (ST), 44-Ukhrul (ST), 4S-Chingai (ST), 47- Karong (ST), 48-Mao (ST), 49-Tadubi (ST), 52-Tamei (ST), 53-Tamenglong (ST) and 54-Nungba (Sn, 55-Tipaimukh (Sn and 56-Thanlon (ST).
With the announcement of the Election Schedule by the Election Commission of India, the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect immediately and will be applicable across the State. All intending candidates, political parties, the State and the Union Governments and all stakeholders are, therefore, directed to comply strictly with the Model Code of Conduct with immediate effect till the election process is completed.
Electoral Rolls: The Final Photo Electoral Rolls of all 60 (sixty) Assembly Constituencies have been published on 22nd January, 2024 by the concerned Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). Accordingly, there are 9,80,855 male, 10,47,929 female and 239 Transgender electors. The number of PwD electors stands at 14152. While the number of 85+ electors is 22491. The total number of polling stations is 2955.
EVMs and VVPATs: M-3 EYMs manufactured by Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL) shall be used in all polling stations. First Level Checking of machines has been completed. There are 5 176 Ballot Units, 6584 Control Units and 532 1 VYPATs available in the State. Adequate emphasis is also given to creating awareness of EVMs. Demonstration Centres were set up in all District Headquarters for familiarization. Besides, Mobile Demonstration Vans were also used for creating awareness amongst the voters.
Election Expenditure Monitoring: 197 Flying Squad Teams, 194 Static Surveillance Teams, 92 Video Surveillance Teams, 60 Video Viewing Teams, 60 Accounting Teams have been constituted and trained. Various Central as well as State Enforcement Agencies have been sensitized. Candidates are required to open a separate bank account (at least one day before filing nomination) for expenditures related to elections.
Training & Awareness: All District Election Officers, Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers have undergone training conducted by IIIDEM/CEO on various topics including Qualification, Disqualification, Nomination, Scrutiny, Model Code of Conduct, Expenditure, and Postal Ballots. EVMs. Poll Day Arrangement etc. Besides, District Level Master Trainers, and Assembly Level Trainers have also been appointed for providing cascaded training to Micro Observers, EEM teams, polling personnel etc.
Vulnerability Mapping: 387 Sector Officers have been appointed and trained by District Election Officers and visited the polling stations for identification of vulnerable locations and voter segments. A total of 1058 polling stations have been identified as vulnerable and critical. Steps also have been taken to identify history sheeters, trouble mongers and persons causing vulnerability and are bound down under Cr. P.e. Besides deploying Micro Observers, these Critical & Vulnerable polling stations will be brought under Webcasting/Videography. Additional CAPF will also be deployed in such polling stations.
Media Certification & Monitoring Committee: State Level MCMC, Pre Certification Committee and District MCMC have been constituted to pre-certify political advertisements and check paid news. Political Parties/Candidates have to apply at least 48 hours in advance for publication of political advertisements in electronic media including social media. All political advertisements to be published in electronic media shall be mandatorily pre-certified by MCMC.
IT App/Complaints/Grievances: Various IT applications including the Know Your Candidate (KYC) App, Suvidha App, Saksham App for Persons with Disabilities, c-Vigil App, e Atlas App, and Poll Star will be used. Permission may be obtained online for holding meetings, campaigns etc. by candidates/political parties 48 hours in advance through the Suvidha App. Complaints may be lodged by any citizen through c-Vigil where a complainant may upload a picture/video and report an MCC violation.
Postal Ballot for Absentee Voters: The Election Commission has made provision for postal ballots to Persons with Disabilities whose names are marked in the electoral rolls and who possess disability certificates. This facility is also extended to senior citizens above the age of 8S and electors who are quarantined due to COVID. This facility will be made optional to the electors. PwD electors will also be provided with vehicles, volunteers and wheelchairs wherever required.
Observers: An adequate number of General Observers, Police Observers and Expenditure Observers are likely to be deployed in the State. The contact details of Observers will be made available once communicated by ECI.
12. Scheme for Internally Displaced Persons of Manipur to vote in Relief Camps: A scheme has been prepared for the Internally Displaced Persons of the State to vote at the Relief Camps. As per the Scheme, the Internally Displaced Persons will be considered as ordinary residents of the place where they have been displaced from and hence would be treated as electors of the original place. Designated Assistant Returning Officers will be appointed for each district for the purpose. A Special Polling Station will be set up for a cluster of polling stations. The voting will take place through EVMs only and the counting of votes will also take place at the District Head Quarter where the relief camps are located and the results will be transmitted to the concerned Returning Officer/Assistant Returning Officer. Internally Displaced Persons are required to submit ID Forms to the designated AROs at least 10 days before the date of the poll. An adequate number of forms shall be made available at the offices of District Election Officers, designated AROs and at the Relief Camps. A copy of the Scheme is also made available on the websites of the Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur and District Election Officers.
Systematic Voters Education & Electoral Participation (SYEEP): Various voter awareness activities were taken up at Booth, Assembly Constituency, District and State levels involving youth, PwD, and Transgender Icons. Special campaigns were carried out to ensure no eligible voter was left behind. Targeted programmes in collaboration with vital stakeholders, NGOs & CSOs working in the field of Persons with Disabilities and Transgenders have been carried out to ensure enrolment of and marking of eligible PwD & Transgender electors in the electoral roll. Extensive social media campaigns were also carried out for online enrolment through NVSP, Voter portal, Voter Helpline, Saksham App etc. Electoral Literacy Clubs have been established in Schools and Colleges and activated to spread voter education. Besides, Voter Awareness Forums have been established at the Directorate Level and District Level Offices. A series of awareness activities for higher voter turnout and informed & ethical voting are also being carried out.
