Manipur recorded a heavy voter turnout with close to 80 per cent polling, which continued two hours after the scheduled timing amid reports of stray violence in round one of the state Assembly election covering 38 constituencies on Monday.

Officials said with the weather being pleasant, voters turned up at the booths in large numbers.

At many booths, women voters, decked up in colourful attire, seemed to be outnumbering the men. The first time voters seemed the most enthused.

The poll process, which started slowly, gradually picked up as the day progressed.

Governor La Ganesan, Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar, Assembly Speaker Y Khemchand and state Congress President N Loken were among those who cast their vote.

By 3 PM, The polling percentage had gone up to 61.35. The polling, which began at 7 AM, officially closed at 4 PM, but those who entered the polling station before the closing hour were being allowed to vote.

There were many voters waiting patiently for their turn to exercise their democratic right even at 6 PM. According to the Election officials, by 5 PM, the polling figure had reached 78.03 per cent.

Voters complained that the polling process took much longer than in previous elections. Some of them said the identification of voters by comparing their identity cards and issuing voter slips were consuming a lot of time.

A Havildar of Manipur Rifles Naorem Ibochouba Singh died at the Senvon polling station under the Tipaimukh constituency in Churachandpur district where he was deployed on poll duty.

A case of unnatural death has been registered. His body has been airlifted to Imphal. Manipur Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur Rajesh Aggarwal said: “It is suspected to be a case of accidental firing from his service weapon”.

Poll violence was reported at Imphal East, Kangpokpi districts, but the authorities controlled the situation by sending additional forces.

Due to clashes at Keithelmanbi, the Electronic Voting Machine was damaged and the poll process got delayed. As the EVM was damaged there was a possibility of holding a repoll in the particular polling station.

In Saltu constituency, Congress candidate Haokip alleged intimidation by other political parties while BJP lodged a complaint to the Election Commission of India accusing Congress workers of resorting to violence.

Reports of sporadic clashes also came from Churachandpur, district and Keirao constituency in Imphal East district. In Churachandpur, there was a clash between two groups An official said an EVM was damaged at a booth under Singhat constituency in Churachandpur district.

The poll process, however, resumed after it was replaced. There were some reports of workers of some candidates resorting to violence at Langthabal and Keirao constituencies.

Polling was held in 80 per cent of the state’s valley areas and 20 per cent of the hills. The five districts which have gone to the hustings are Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur in the valley areas and Churachandpur and Kangpokpi in the hills.

A total of 12,09,439 voters including 580607 males, 628657 females and 175 transgenders were eligible to select their choice in 1721 polling stations from among 173 contestants.

The first phase will decide the fates of Chief Minister, N Biren, Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar and Speaker Y Khemchand. BJP was in the fray in 38 seats while Congress contested in 34 seats after having expelled its candidate, S Joy at Wangoi on Saturday.

The Janata Dal-United JD(U) had 28 candidates and NPP had put up 27 nominees.

Polling for the remaining 22 constituencies would be held in the second and final phase on March 5. The results would be declared on March 10.