The first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Manipur is set for Friday, amidst the backdrop of ethnic violence in the state since May 2023. Polling is scheduled from 7 am to 4 pm, covering all 32 assembly segments of the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency and 15 Assembly Segments of the Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary Constituency. A total of 15,44,652 voters, including 7,41,849 males, 8,02,557 females, and 246 transgender voters, are expected to vote in phase 1.
Special arrangements have been made for polling stations, with 645 being entirely managed by all-woman polling personnel and 2 exclusively managed by Persons with Disabilities (PwD) polling personnel. Additionally, 85 special polling stations have been set up for internally displaced voters, with 18091 such voters expected to participate. Over 8,000 polling personnel are being deployed.
Webcasting facilities have been arranged at 1256 polling stations, and adequate Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed at all polling stations. Micro observers are present at all critical and special polling stations. Special provisions have been made for PwD electors and Centenarian voters, with two volunteers assigned to each polling station for voter assistance.
The movement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) is being tracked through the e-Traccar app, embedded in the mobile phones of polling personnel and sector officers. The Poll Star App is used for reporting voter turnout and other crucial information by polling officials. Control rooms have been set up in every district headquarters and in the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur.
Certain restrictions have been imposed on poll day to ensure a free and fair election, including prohibitions on campaigning within 100 meters of polling stations, use of cellular phones, and setting up of campaign-related posters or banners near polling booths. The Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur, has urged all voters to participate in the democratic exercise and produce an elector’s photo identity card (EPIC) or one of the 12 alternative identity documents for voting.
Phase 1 of voting will also take place in other states and Union Territories, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. The Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with vote counting on June 4.