Manipur Assembly polls: Nearly 12 pc voter turnout recorded till 10 am

Imphal (Manipur) [India], February 28 (ANI): As polling for the first phase of Manipur Assembly elections is underway, State Election Commission on Monday informed that the voter turnout touched 11.68 per cent in the state till 10 am.
Kangpokpi at 15.78 per cent and Bishnupur and Imphal West at 14.37 and 14.31 per cent respectively recorded the highest voter turnout so far, while Churachandpur with 4.97 per cent recorded the lowest.
A total of 38 Assembly constituencies spread across five districts, Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, and Kangpokpi are undergoing polling today.
Herein, Manipur Deputy Chief Miniter and National People's Party (NPP) candidate from Uripok, Yumnam Joykumar Singh cast his vote in Naoremthong Upper Primary School in Imphal.
Manipur PWD Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh and BJP candidate for Thongju Assembly seat took to Twitter to inform that he cast his vote.
"I have cast my vote, have you? Participate in the biggest festival of democracy and vote in large numbers to continue the path of development and progressive Manipur!" he said.
A total of 173 candidates, including 15 females, are in the fray for the poll.
Voting will continue till 4 pm. The voters who are COVID positive or are under quarantine will be allowed to vote at the last hour, between 3 pm to 4 pm.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh is contesting from his traditional home seat, Heingang constituency of Imphal East. Notably, the Chief Minister is seeking the fifth term in Manipur.
The BJP formed the government in Manipur in 2017 with the support of the National People's Party (NPP), Naga People's Front (NPF) and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). However, this time the BJP decided to go solo and is contesting all 60 seats alone.
The second phase of this 60-member Assembly will take place on March 5. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)