Congress-BJP clash erupts on the first day of voting

The first phase of the Manipur Assembly election began on Monday at 7 am. Stone-pelting and firing were reported from the Keirao constituency in Manipur, which disrupted the polling.

Polling was also disrupted in the New Keithelmanbi constituency in the Kangpokpi district of Manipur after the Congress party workers and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers allegedly clashed over allegations of booth capturing.

Violent incidents were reported across the state during polls. According to India Today, security forces had to start blank firing to disperse the crowd involved in the fight.

In the Singhat Assembly constituency of the Churachandpur district, one person was injured in clashes between supporters of the BJP and Kuki People’s Alliance. According to the State Election Commission, an electronic voting machine was also damaged. The returning officer had to call for a backup voting machine. Subsequently, the police controlled the situation.

In the Langthabal constituency, Congress workers vandalized a booth set up by members of the BJP. According to PTI, a vehicle of a National People’s Party candidate was damaged by supporters of the opposition party at the Keirao Kendra 6/32 Phunal Maring polling station. Reportedly, the Election Commission’s officials also found that cash was being distributed at a polling station in the Keirao constituency.

The election will end today at 6 pm. The voters who are Covid-19 positive or are under quarantine was allowed to vote at the last hour, between 3 pm to 4 pm. Manipur elections are being held in 38 constituencies. A total of 173 candidates, including 15 women, are in the fray across 38 seats in the first phase of the Manipur elections. The BJP has fielded candidates in all the 38 seats while the Congress has fielded 35 contestants. The election will end on 5 March. The result will be announced on 10 March.