27.34% polling recorded amid Congress, BJP workers clash over booth capturing allegations

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A voter turnout of 27.34 per cent was recorded till 11 am, as voting in the first phase of Manipur elections began on Monday, with 38 out of 60 seats going to the polls.

Clashes broke also out between Congress and BJP supporters in New Keithelmanbi in Imphal West district after Congress raised allegations of booth capturing. 

Security forces had to resort to blank firing to disperse the crowd.

However, the polling began at 7 am and will continue till 4 pm.

In this phase, over 12 lakh voters will decide the fate of 173 candidates, out of which 15 are women. 

Authorities have also ensured that all Covid-related protocols are followed strictly. In order to hold a Covid-safe election, mandatory sanitisation of the polling stations was done in different parts of Manipur while other measures, such as wearing of masks and sanitisers by everyone and following social distancing, have further been mandated. (With agency inputs)