All set to poll for Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency

Imphal: The second phase of General Elections to the 18th Lok Sabha in respect of Manipur has been scheduled on Friday.

Polling will start at 7 am and will continue till 4 pm. Thirteen Assembly Segments of 2-Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary Constituency spread across eight districts viz Ukhrul,

Kamjong, Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Jiribam, Pherzawl and Tengnoupal, will go for polls.

A total of 484949 voters including 239140 male, 245807 female and two transgender voters will exercise their franchise in Phase-2. There are a total of 848 polling stations including 36 P-3 polling stations, 279 P-2 polling stations and 533 P-1 polling stations, said a press release issued by office of the chief electoral officer (CEO), Manipur on Thursday.

It said 202 polling stations will be completely managed by all women polling personnel. “One polling station will be exclusively managed by all PwD polling personnel. Besides, there will be well decorated and beautifully designed 22 model polling stations.”

In addition, 9 special polling stations have been set up for Internally Displaced Voters, four each in Ukhrul and Tengnoupal and one in Jiribam districts. A total of 529 Internally Displaced Voters will exercise their franchise in their respective Special Polling stations.

“Interestingly, a special polling station has been set up for only 1 voter in Tengnoupal district,” the CEO said.

“Over 3400 polling personnel are being deployed for Phase 2.”

Arrangement for webcasting/videography have been made for these Polling stations. Eighty-seven companies of CAPF have been deployed in addition to 4000 state armed personnel in the polling stations. In addition, Micro Observers have been deployed in all critical polling stations and Special Polling stations, the CEO said.

As done in Phase 1, provision for Pick up/Drop facilities for PwD and aged electors are made available along with wheelchair facility. A total of 2747 PwD electors and 454 Centenarian voters will exercise their franchise tomorrow. Two volunteers have been engaged in each polling station for assisting voters. Voter Assistance Booth have also been set up in all polling stations. ASHA workers have been identified for every polling station to provide immediate health care for the voters. In addition, Anganwadi workers have been engaged to facilitate the pregnant and lactating mothers to vote with ease. First Aid kits have been provided for all polling stations, it added.

“The movement of EVMs is being tracked with the help of e-Traccar App which is embedded in the mobile phones of polling personnel and sector officers. Besides, a polling personnel will be able to report any sort of EVM malfunctioning or any untoward incident happening in the polling station. Poll Star App is also used for timely reporting of voter turn out and other vital information by the polling officials. Control rooms have been set up in every district headquarter and in the office of Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur. Election Control Room set up at the office of District Election Officer, Pherzawl.”

CEO, Manipur appeals to all voters to come out in large numbers and to exercise their franchise and be a part of the democratic exercise.

Voters have to produce EPIC for their identification at the polling stations before casting their votes. Those voters who are not able to produce EPIC shall produce one of 12 alternative identity documents for establishing their identity.