Campaigning for Manipur's by-elections ends

Imphal, May 31 (UNI) Campaigning for by-elections to Khangabok and Khundrakpam assembly constituencies in Manipur on June 2 ended this evening.

The fate of Congress candidate O Landhoni, wife of Manipur's Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, would be decided at Khangabok, Thoubal.

The Congress presently has 29 MLAs in the 60-member house and if it wins both the seats, it will have an absolute majority in the state Assembly.

Altogether three candidates are in the fray for the Khangabok seat and six for Khundrakpam seat of Imphal East.

The other candidates for Khangabok are Mohammad Qutub Ali (NCP) and K H Angou (Samajwadi Party).

The by-poll to Khangabok segment was necessitated as the Chief Minister vacated the seat after winning two constituencies in the elections held in February.

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

Chief Electoral Officer R R Rashmi said the voting will be held on June 2 from 0700 hours to 1500 hours.

He said only central forces will be deployed for election duties.

The state government declared holiday in the two constituencies allowing the people to vote.

UNI