Opinion

Manipur goes to polls

B.Narayanan
by
B.Narayanan

01 Mar, 2022

Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Imphal , Manipur

Manipur goes to polls

(A photo-feature)

It’s 4.30 am on 28th February, 2022. The first streaks of rose and gold light up the night sky, and the birds start chirping. Being on the country’s eastern border with Myanmar, dawn comes here early. The keenly-anticipated polling day is here, after a toughly-fought campaign, and 38 of the 60 constituencies will go to the polls today, in the 1st Phase, including Imphal, the capital of the state.

Though the spring has come in early, it’s still a bit chilly and very breezy outdoors, and queues have formed outside polling stations, even before they open at 7 am. Colorful Manipuri traditional shawls are sported by the women, some of whom have even brought their infants along, bundled up.

 

 

 

(Photo Credit – CEO, Manipur)

 

(Photo Credit : B. Narayanan)

Historically, Manipur has always witnessed high turnouts -  the previous assembly elections in Manipur witnessed a huge 86% turnout. Today is no different.   As the day wears on, long queues start building at the polling stations, with people quietly waiting for their turn to vote. There is no “urban apathy” phenomenon here!

 

 

(Photo Credit : Deepak Sharma)

Political parties have set up their assistance stalls near the polling stations, and enthusiastic party workers can be seen, helping voters. A common feature across the stalls  is the traditional offering to God, for auspicious results – a lamp, incense, lotus flowers, plantain, rice and fruits

 

 

(Photo Credit : B. Narayanan)

The Election Commission, too has set up Voter Assistance Booths, with chairs and a table, and staff to help voters.

 

 

(Photo Credit : Deepak Sharma)

There is even a transgender help facility, offered by an NGO, mounted on a van

 

 

 

(Photo Credit : Deepak Sharma)

Like elsewhere in the country, Manipur, too has witnessed a demographic change, and a huge number of voters are youngsters, who are voting for the first time.

 

(Photo Credit : Deepak Sharma)

The hardy senior citizens of the state, too , are not lacking in their enthusiasm for voting, despite the earlier-than-expected warming of temperatures this spring,

 

 

(Photo Credit : Deepak Sharma)

With voting taking the centre-stage, every other activity – shops, offices, factories – is on hold, and security forces can be seen on every street corner. With a long history of militancy and underground outfits, the polling stations are manned by camouflage-wearing personnel armed with automatic weapons, in heavily sandbagged posts.

 

 

(Photo Credit : Deepak Sharma)

The Chief Election Officer, and his team have spared no efforts to facilitate and encourage turn-out, roping in many agencies and organisations, including the Regional Outreach Bureau (ROB) and the PIB of the I&B Ministry. The ROB used the medium of folk dance and drama to attract crowds to the Election Commission’s voter education and ground interaction, with hundreds of programmes lined up all over the State.

 

 

(Photo Credit : ROB, Imphal)

For days before D-day, polling officials have trekked through jungles and up mountains, carrying equipment to set up polling stations in remote hill villages – 92 percent of the land area of Manipur is hilly

 

 

(Photo Credit – CEO, Manipur)

Today, the enthusiasm is infectious, and all elements of the elaborate run-up have come together. Truly, for a land having many festivals, this too is an important festival  – the festival of democracy, which, by seeking the people’s mandate, renews itself every five years.

 

(Photo Credit : B. Narayanan)

The sun sets early here, and by 4 pm, voting draws to a close. There is a visible air of relaxation and relief amongst the polling staff and the security personnel. The long twilight starts, and lights begin to come on, and  twinkle in the hills and along the bowl-like valley of Manipur. The people have spoken once again, and have chosen their representatives for the next five years.

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B.Narayanan /  Deepak Sharma