Campaigning for Manipur byelections to end tomorrow

Imphal, May 30 (UNI) The campaigning for the byelections of Khangabok and Khundrakpam Assembly constituencies will come to an end tomorrow, according to Chief Electoral Officer R R Rashmi.

The Manipur government has declared that all government offices in the two constituencies would remain closed on June 2 next, the day of election, so that the voting can take properly.

The campaigning for the byelections of these two constituencies has gained momentum with the candidates and workers canvassing for votes.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and other Congress leaders have started seeking votes for Congress candidates at the two constituencies. The Congress has now 29 MLAs in the 60-member House and if it wins both the seats, it will have absolute majority.

The CPI, which has four MLAs and the RJD which has three MLAs, are supporting the Secular Progressive Front led by Congress.

Three candidates are in the fray for Khangabok and six for Khundrakpam of Imphal East. The candidates for Khangabok are Landhoni(Congress), Md Qutub Ali (NCP) and Kh Angou (Samajwadi Party). Mr O Ibobi Singh had vacated the seat as he won in two constituencies in the elections held in February last.

The candidates for Khundrakpam are L Lala (BJP), H Bimola (Samata Party), N Singhajit (MPP), L Premchand (CPI), Th Lokeshore (INC) and K Tomba (NCP).

CEO R R Rashmi said the voting would be done from 0700 hours to 1500 hours and only central forces would be used for election duties.

UNI