Manipur gears up for elections

Imphal, Jan 17 (UNI) The Manipur government has started gearing up for the Ninth Legislative Assembly elections scheduled for next month.

The Election Commission announced that the elections would be held in three phases - February 8, 14 and 23 - officials said and adequate security would be provided for the polls.

The CEC, during his recent visit to Manipur, had described the election as ''difficult''.

Officials said a total 17,06,646 voters would cast their votes, including 8,82,763 women voters.

Some of the constituencies in the 60-member House have a large number of voters like Mao in Senapati District, which has 49,337 voters.

For the 2053 polling stations, about 3000 EVMs would be used.

Security would be provided according to the need and armed personnel stationed at all the stations.

About 683 stations were classified as ''hypersensitive'', 973 as ''sensitive'' and 397 as normal.

About 30 general observers and 10 expenditure observers appointed by the Election Commission would be visiting the state soon, officials said.

Meanwhile, all the political parties have asked their national leaders to start campaigning for the polls.

The BJP Manipur unit confirmed that party President Rajnath Singh and senior leader Sushma Swaraj would be visiting the state next month.

CPI State Secretary B Sharma said party Secretary A B Bardhan would visit the state in February.

The NCP leaders said senior leaders of the party like P A Sangma were also expected to visit Manipur in view of elections.

UNI