IMPHAL, June 2 – The polling for the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Manipur’s Chandel, Churachandpur, Sadar Hills, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul was held on Monday amidst allegations of booth capturing and clashes between political workers. Though the turn out of voters was reportedly high this time, clashes between political workers were reported from various locations in the five hill districts.
The polling was held across 1,163 polling booths from 7 am to 4.30 pm. Churachandpur district has the maximum number of 290 polling booths while Chandel has only 144 booths. About 7 lakh voters including 3.6 lakh females were eligible to cast their votes to elect 144 district council members – 24 each from the six ADCs.
Today’s polling will decide the fate of 495 candidates including 121 BJP, 98 Congress, 86 Naga People’s Front, 191 Independent, and 11 others.
Twelve candidates including seven from Congress, four NPF and one BJP candidate are likely to be declared elected unopposed as no rival candidate filed nominations against them.
In the last ADC polls held in 2010, ruling Congress had won 106 seats while CPI got one.
Peace rally: Members of the Meitei Christian community will be holding a peace/prayer rally on June 6 in protest against the burning down of Church buildings, obstruction to construction of churches, pastor quarters, houses, besides threats to the community.
Speaking at a press conference at Manipur Press Club here today, chairman of the Organising Committee Rev Dr L Iboyaima said Meitei Christian community in the State are under threat from various fronts including armed groups. Sometimes they call us and threaten not to do engage in any religion-related activity, he alleged. He said the community is not satisfied with the protection given by the police.
Rev Dr Iboyaima appealed to other religion communities not to target the Meitei Christians. Citing the incident of burning down of one Meitei Christian church at Patsoi Lamkhai under Imphal West district recently, he said members of the Meitei Christian community are peace loving, believers in God and church is a place of worship.
He said the peace/prayer rally will start from Presbyterian House near War Cemetery in Imphal at around 10 am and conclude at Palace Gate.