IMPHAL, Oct 6 - With the announcement of the schedule for bypolls to five Assembly constituencies by the Election Commission of India (ECI), slated on November 7, the Chief Electoral Officer�s Office here is gearing up to put all the necessary arrangements in place.
Informing about the poll preparation at a press conference here, Manipur Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) PK Singh today said that the by-election SOP would be strictly followed as per the ECI guidelines.
Stating that postal ballots would be available to elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and COVID-19 patients under quarantine, the CEO pointed out that deletion and correction of the electoral rolls would not be allowed. However, in case of addition, it can be done ten days ahead of the nominations, he added.
On October 5, the ECI announced the schedule for bypolls to the Wangoi, Saitu and Singngat constituencies. Earlier, on September 29, bypolls to the Lilong and Wangjing-Tentha seats were announced. Voting for all the five constituencies will be held on November 7, while the counting will take place on November 10.
The CEO stated that the latest EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails would be used in the by-elections.
With the announcement of the election schedule, the model of code of conduct has come into effect in the entire districts of Kangpokpi, Thoubal and Churachandpur. However, in Imphal West district, the model code of conduct will be applicable only in the Assembly segment of Wangoi as it falls within the capital district.
