Election campaign picks up in Manipur

Imphal, Dec 30 (UNI) With the formal announcement of the election dates for the ninth Assembly elections in Manipur, campaining has started in the state.

Candidates were seen canvassing for votes along with their supporters. The Communist Party of India (CPI), a partner of the ruling Secular Progressive Front (SPF) had already announced the names of it candidates.

A senior CPI leader said there would be ''friendly fight'' with the Congress party, which has the highest numbers of seats, that is 33 in the 60 member House.

The Nationalist Congress Party has announced that all the aspirants would have to deposit Rs 10,000 to the party. The elections would be held in three phases on February 2, 15 and 23 .

In the first phase, elections would be held in 19 Assembly segments at Thoubal, Ukhrul and Senapati districts on February 2.

The second phase, for 29 segments at Imphal West, Imphal East and Bishenpur districts will be on February 15.

The third phase elections would be held on February 23 at Jiribam of Imphal East, Chandel, Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts in 12 segments.

Counting would begin on February 27. Out of 60 Assembly constituencies in Manipur, 19 are reserved for the Scheduled Tribes and one seat is reserved for Scheduled Castes. General Elections would be conducted in these states on the basis of the electoral rolls revised with reference to 01.01.07 as the qualifying date.

As per draft rolls, there are 16,87,543 voters in the state. The Model Code of Conduct came into effect from yesterday.

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