Blockade won’t hit Manipur polls: EC

Imphal, Feb. 22: The Election Commission is confident that the economic blockade in Manipur will not impact the polls.

“We have all the data from our state election machinery. We are confident that the economic blockade will not impact the poll process in the state. The state government has also assured us,” chief election commissioner Nasim Zaidi told reporters. An indefinite highway blockade imposed by the United Naga Council since November 1, 2016 against formation of seven new districts has crippled the state.

“We undertook reviews with our district officials and the state officials. As far as the election process is concerned there is a priority and sufficient availability of petrol, diesel for poll process,” Mr Zaidi said.

He said adequate number of Central forces will be available for each phase and each polling station will be adequately covered by security forces.