Commencement of voting is ongoing at 7 am in Seven Lok Sabha constituencies in the northeastern region – five in Assam and one each in Tripura and conflict-ridden Manipur on Friday.
In Assam, more than 7.7 million electors spread across five parliamentary districts – Diphu, Nagaon, Silchar, Karimganj, and Darrang-Udalguri are poised to determine the destinies of 61 contenders in the second phase of electoral proceedings. Polling is in progress across 9133 polling venues.
In Tripura, the electoral process is in motion for the East Tripura constituency with a total of 1,396,761 voters set to exercise their franchise across 1,664 polling stations. Nine aspirants are vying for victory, though the primary contest is expected between the incumbent BJP candidate Kriti Devi, sibling of Tipra Motha chief Pradyut Manikya Debbarma, and the opposition INDIA bloc nominee Rajendra Reang.
Robust security measures, inclusive of drone surveillance, have been implemented in Manipur.
In anticipation of the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Manipur, law enforcement agencies have deployed drones for monitoring activities in Ukhrul district, which falls under the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha Constituency. Naga People’s Front’s (NPF) candidate Kachui Timothy Zimik is set to challenge Congress’s Alfred K. Arthur in this electoral arena.
Previously, re-polling was conducted in 11 polling stations of the Inner Manipur constituency on April 22, following numerous incidents of violence during the initial phase of balloting on April 19. According to sources, unidentified perpetrators unleashed gunfire and even vandalized Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The re-polling took place under stringent security protocols to forestall any untoward occurrences.
Of the affected polling stations, two were situated within the Khurai assembly constituency, four in Kshetrigao, one in Thongju, three in Uripok, and one in Konthoujam constituency. The Outer Manipur constituency is presently represented by Lorho Phoze of the Naga People’s Front. However, this time around, the NPF is contesting as part of the BJP-led NDA coalition.
Previously, the BJP declared its endorsement for the NPF candidate for Outer Manipur, Kachui Timothy Zimik. Zimik is pitted against Congress legislator Alfred K Arthur, who stands as the joint Opposition candidate of the INDIA bloc. Manipur recorded a voter turnout exceeding 69 percent on April 19. The remaining 13 segments of Outer Manipur will undergo polling in the second phase on April 26, with the vote counting slated for June 4.