IMPHAL, Sept 29 - The Election Commission of India (ECI) today announced the poll schedule for by-elections to the Lilong and Wangjing-Tentha Assembly constituencies in Manipur. The last date for filing nominations is October 20 and the last date of withdrawal of candidature is October 23. Polling will be held on November 7, while the counting will take place on November 10. The poll process will be over on November 12.
Ramananda Nongmeikapam, Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur, told reporters, �With the announcement of the election schedule by the ECI, the model code of conduct comes into effect immediately and will be applicable in the entire district of Thoubal.� A total of 63,611 voters, including 32,678 women and three transgenders, are scheduled to exercise franchise at 92 polling stations under the Lilong and Wangjing-Tentha Assembly constituencies.
�A specific feature of the by-elections is that postal ballots will be issued to persons with disabilities, voters above 80 years of age and COVID-19 positive patients,� Nongmeikapam said.
Unlike the previous elections, there will be certain restrictions due to COVID-19 guideline, he said. A group of only five persons including the candidate, is allowed to do door-to-door campaigning.
Roadshows are allowed with limited convoys of vehicles, while public gatherings or rallies can be conducted subject to adherence to existing guidelines, Nongmeikapam added.
The by-elections to Lilong and Wangjing-Tentha Assembly constituencies have been necessitated after the sitting MLAs resigned from the Assembly.
Eleven more Assembly constituencies also lie vacant following disqualification and resignation of MLAs.
The BJP-led Government in Manipur came to power in March, 2017 with the support of four MLAs each from the NPP and the NPF, besides one MLA each from the TMC and the Lok Janshakti Party, and an Independent in the 60-member House.
