The election dates in Manipur have been changed. The Election Commission announced today that the voting dates for the two-phase Manipur assembly elections had been modified.
The first part of voting will take place on February 28 and the second phase will take place on March 5; voting had previously been set for February 27 and March 3.
Manipur’s election is scheduled to be held on Sunday:
Several ethnic groups and political parties had requested the Election Commission to change the Manipur election dates since the first phase, on February 27, fell on a Sunday, affecting church services. Christians make up about 41% of Manipur’s three-million-strong population.
On January 18, the All-Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) requested that the first phase of the assembly elections be rescheduled by the Election Commission. In a statement, the AMCO said, “We urgently ask the Election Commission to postpone the first phase polling date to show solidarity and respect for the religious emotion of the Christians.”
“After considering inputs, representations, previous precedents, logistic, ground situations, and other facts and circumstances in the issue, the Commission has decided… to alter the election dates,” the Election Commission stated.
On March 10, the votes will be polled.
