Manipur on Monday recorded a turnout of 78.03 per cent till 5pm in the first phase of the state’s Assembly polls. The election was by and large peaceful barring “a few EVM damages and preventive firing in air by security personnel” from some polling stations under three Assembly constituencies — Saitu, Henglep and Singhat, the election authorities said.

Altogether 38 of the 60 constituencies in five districts went to the polls on Monday under unprecedented security blanket following a rise in pre-poll violence.

Kangpokpi and Imphal West registered the joint highest voter turnout of 82.19 per cent. They were followed by Imphal East (76.64 per cent), Churachandpur (74.45 per cent) and Bishnupur (73.44 per cent).

The first phase turnout in 2017 Assembly election was 86 per cent and overall turnout in two phases was 85.87 per cent.

This time the ruling BJP is not only facing archrival Congress but also its allies — National People’s Party (NPP), Naga People’s Front (NPF) and Janata Dal (United) — for a second straight term in power.

BJP has fielded candidates in all the seats in the first phase, Congress in 35, NPP in 27 and JDU in 28. The BJP had won 18 of the 38 seats in 2017 while the Congress bagged 16.

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh and his wife Hiyainu Devi show their inked fingers after casting their votes in Imphal. PTI Photo

The three constituencies where firing took place are in Kuki-dominated districts of Kangpokpi (Saitu) and Chrachandpur (Henglep and Singhat).

The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United Peoples’ Front (UPF), umbrella bodies of 18 and seven Kuki rebel groups respectively, had extended support to the ruling BJP in their respective areas of operation.

Office of the chief electoral officer (CEO), Manipur, said damage of EVMs by unknown miscreants have been reported from seven polling stations in Leplen (Saikul LAC constituency), New Keithelmanbi (Saitu constituency), Maite and Tinsuong (Thanlon constituency), Leinom (Henglep constituency), Geltam and Maukot (Singhat constituency).

“FIRs have been registered in all these cases. Polling in Geltam and Leplen resumed with new EVMs,” CEO Rajesh Agarwal said.

There were also complaints from certain political parties and candidates during the poll. “However, most of the issues were resolved and prompt actions were taken. Decisions on re-polls, if any, shall be decided accordingly,” Agarwal said.

Congress has lodged at least three complaints with the returning officer on Monday for adjournment or repoll in Nambol constituency from where its state president N. Loken Singh is contesting. They have alleged intimidation and detention of its polling agent by BJP workers besides forcing voters to vote in favour of the BJP.

The Manipur Pradesh Congress committee (MPCC) has also written to the DGP to release its Saitu candidate L. Haokip, who was held as he visited a polling station in New Keithelmanbi after receiving reports of violence, the MPCC said.