Manipur poll campaign at a very low ebb

Imphal, Jan 17: Barely eleven days to go, lacklustre campaigning for the coming January 28 Manipur assembly polls is at a very low ebb with candidates confining to hoisting flags at their houses and their supporters.

Reports from all districts said, apart from hoisting flags at their houses, candidates were doing house-to-house campaigns to woo voters in their favours.

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) which was a major issue in previous election was no longer a major issue this time although the political parties raised this issue during the campaigning, reports said.

Reports said candidates while campaigning were concentrating the erratic power supply, shortage of drinking water, insurgency problem, previous government's failure to make the national highways free from any trouble.

There has not been any major public meetings of any party to woo voters in any part of the state to woo voters, reports said adding that it may be because of restrictions imposed by various insurgent outfits on political parties.

Political observers said no political parties or their supporters have not been campaigning in favour of their candidates by using public loud speaker system or have they put up any posters at any public places in favour of their candidates.

'It is silent all over unlike in the past,' reports said adding that the polls this time was totally different from the past.

Political observers said every voter should have the opportunity to choose the representative of their choice and too much restrictions both by insurgents and authorities was 'not advisable'.

PTI