Amid sporadic incidents of violence at several polling stations, a voter turnout of 67.53 per cent was recorded till 3 pm for the first phase of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly elections, according to an update posted by the Manipur Chief Election Officer on Twitter.
Imphal East reported a voter turnout of 65.81 per cent, Imphal West - 70.21 per cent, Bishnupur - 67.42 per cent, Kangpokpi - 76.74 per cent and Churachandpur - 61.35 per cent till 3 pm.
Earlier in the day, the INC Manipur lauded the people of Manipur for coming out in large numbers to vote.
"We would like to thank the people of Manipur for coming out in large numbers and exercising their right to vote," the INC Manipur tweeted.
The first phase of the Manipur elections began at 7 am Monday across 38 constituencies in five districts amid high tension and tight security arrangements.
As many as 173 candidates, including 15 female candidates, were in the fray in the first phase of the polls. In all, 12,09,439 total voters, including 5,80,607 males, 6,28,657 females and 175 transgender were expected to exercise their franchise across 1,721 polling stations in the first phase.
Of the 173 candidates in the first phase of polling, 39 candidates have criminal antecedents. The party wise number of candidates is:- BJP-38, CPI-1, INC-35, NCP-6, NPP-27, JD(U)-28, LJP (Ram Vilas)-3, RPI(Athawale)-6, Shiv Sena-7, Kuki National Assembly-2, Kuki People’s Alliance-2 and Independent-18.
