IT News
Imphal, June 3:
The stage is set for the counting of votes in the 18th Lok Sabha Election, conducted in seven phases across 543 parliamentary constituencies nationwide. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that the counting will commence at 8 am tomorrow, June 4.
In Manipur, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has confirmed that preparations are complete for the vote counting to begin at 8 am. The Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) has installed a Digibox at its office to display real-time counting results, ensuring transparency and immediate updates for the public and media.
For the two parliamentary constituencies (PCs) in Manipur, elections were held in the first and second phases. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not field a candidate in the Outer Manipur constituency, instead supporting the Naga People’s Front (NPF) candidate Timothy Zimik. In the Inner Manipur constituency, the BJP fielded the sitting Education Minister, Th. Basanta Kumar. The Indian National Congress (INC) fielded candidates in both constituencies: Dr. Bimol Akoijam for Inner Manipur and Alfred K. Arthur for Outer Manipur. Altogether, six candidates are contesting in the Inner Manipur PC, while four candidates are vying for the Outer Manipur PC.
Also Read: Manipur gears up for Vote counting for 18th Lok Sabha Elections
The election process began on April 19 with the first phase held in 102 parliamentary constituencies, recording a voter turnout of 66.14%. The second phase took place on April 26 in 88 constituencies, achieving a turnout of 66.71%. The third phase, held on May 7 in 93 constituencies, saw a turnout of 65.68%. The fourth phase was conducted on May 13 across 96 constituencies with a turnout of 69.16%. The fifth, sixth, and seventh phases were held on May 20, May 25, and June 1, respectively.
A total of 8,360 candidates are vying for seats in this crucial election. The counting process will be closely monitored, with heightened security measures in place to ensure the integrity and smooth operation of the proceedings. The results will determine the political landscape of the nation, with widespread implications for both national and state-level governance.
The public, along with political parties and candidates, eagerly await the outcome, marking the culmination of a significant electoral process in the world’s largest democracy.
