The Inner Manipur lok Sabha constituency that went to polls on Thursday recorded over 75 per cent polling till 4 pm even as the election officials said that the final polling percentage is likely to increase.
The other lok Sabha seat in the State, Outer Manipur constituency went to polls on April 9 and recorded over 82 per cent polling, the officials said.
“We have recorded over 75 per cent polling till 4 pm. However, the percentage will increase as our officers are still collecting reports from officials deployed in far-flung areas,” said Manipur Chief Electoral Officer, O Nabakishore.
He said that there is no report of any untoward incident and the polling remained peaceful across the constituency.
It may be mentioned here that there are eight candidates in the fray for the Inner Manipur lok Sabha seat this time.
Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishenpur district falls under the Inner Manipur lok Sabha seat, the officials said adding that no ballots were, however, cast at leimaram in Bishenpur district as voters kept away from the polling booths demanding transfer of an officer-in-charge of police of that area.
Meanwhile, Manipur based human rights activist Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been on a fast for over last 12 years demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers’ Act (AFSPA) was not allowed to vote on Thursday.
Sharmila, known as ‘Iron lady’ of the State, had a few days back expressed her wish to cast her vote.
“Under Section 62 (5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a person confined in jail cannot vote,” said Nabakishore while adding that the rule applies to everyone and so she cannot vote.
The rights activist has been in custody as she had been charged with attempting to commit suicide. However, Sharmila is lodged in a special ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal where one room, where she is confined to, has been declared sub-jail.