Manipur: By-election runs smoothly under security

Imphal, June 2: About 40 per cent of the 52,265 voters exercised their franchise till noon today in the by-elections to Khangabok and Khundrakpam assembly constituencies.

Polling, which was progressing amidst tight security, will end at 4 PM. Serpentine queues of voters were seen outside the polling stations.

Official sources said three Magistrates were in Khundrakpam to ensure free and fair election. For Khangabok constituency a large number of central forces were keeping vigil.

The Indian National Congress and Nationalist Congress Party have fielded candidates for both seats, while the Samajwadi Party, BJP, Samata Party, MPP and CPI will go in for only one seat each.

A total of three candidates are in the fray for Khangabok constituency at Thoubal district. Six nominees will fight it out for the Khundrakpam seat at Imphal East.

The candidates for Khangabok were Chief Minister O Ibobi's wife Landhoni(Congress), Md Qutub Ali(NCP) and Kh Angou(Samajwadi Party).

O Ibobi had vacated the seat as he won in two constituencies in the elections held in February last.

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

The ruling Congress, with 29 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly, will have absolute majority if it wins the two seats.

UNI

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