Manipur: Election campaign for third phase concludes

Imphal, Feb 21: Massive security arrangements have been made for the third and final phase of elections in Manipur on February 23, as campaigning ends at 1530 hours today.

Chief Electoral Officer R.R.Rashmi said the third phase of elections would be held at Tamenglong, Chandel and Churachandpur districts. 12 Assembly segments under Jiribam sub-division will witness the most difficult voting as more than 100 polling centers have no proper roads, he stated.

The CEO said boats and helicopters will be pressed into service to move the election materials to the polling stations and added that every polling station will be guarded by armed security personnel.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the NSCN-K, has banned all candidates in Tamenglong Assembly Constituency from contesting the Ninth Manipur Legislative Assembly Election alleging interference by NSCN-IM.

The fates of Congress President Gaikhangam, Tribal development minister Phungzathang Tonsing, Information Minister T.N.Haokip, and Mr Th Devendra- the number two man in the O.Ibobi government, will be decided in the last phase of election.

There are also two women candidates.

Chandel has the maximum of ten candidates while Singhat has only three. A total of 3,63,345 voters, including 1,85,598 female, would exercise their right to vote.

Indian National Congress is contesting in 11 seats. LJSP-9, RJD-6 National Congress Party in 5 and Samajwadi Party-5.

The Bharatiya Janta Party has three candidates, Communist Party of India- 4, Manipur People's Party (MPP)- 3 , NPP-3 , SAP-2, JD(U)-1, PDA-1 and Independents-23.

UNI