More than 85 per cent voters in Manipur on Wednesday exercised their franchise in the second phase of polls to the state Assembly, which were conducted peacefully, the Election Commision said in New Delhi.
"Over 85 per cent of the electorate cast their ballot in the second phase of the Assembly polls in Manipur at 827 polling stations in 29 Assembly constituencies," Deputy Election Commissioner J P Prakash told reporters in New Delhi.
Minor clashes among supporters of candidates in Khundrakpam, Naoriya Pakhang Lakpa and Thongju Assembly constituencies were reported, but none was injured, sources said.
The fate of former Union sports minister and senior Manipur Peoples Party leader Th Chaoba, former chief minister R K Dorendra Singh (Manipur People's Party), MPP president L Chandramani will be decided in this phase.
Altogether 155 candidates are in the fray. Congress has fielded 29 candidates, its arch rival MPP 25, Rashtriya Janata Dal 17, Nationalist Congress Party 17, Communist Party of India 16, Samajwadi Party 13, Bharatiya Janata Party 9, CPI(M) 1 and others 28.
The first phase of the elections were held in 19 Assembly constituencies on February 8 and the third and final phase will be held in 12 seats on February 23.
Manipur has 60 Assembly seats. Counting of votes would be taken up on February 27.
