Manipur 2022: 56 candidates with criminal antecedents in poll fray

Imphal: A total of 265 candidates are contesting the upcoming state election and out of this number, 56 are candidates that have criminal antecedents.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Manipur CEO Rajesh Agrawal said the Format C1 is to be published by candidates having criminal antecedents, while Format C2 is to be published by political parties selecting such candidates.

Agrawal further stated that political manifesto should not to be released during the prohibitory period in both phases as prescribed under Section 126 of the RPA, 1951 (Last 48 hours before the close of poll).

Meanwhile, a total of 173 candidates are contesting Phase -1 of the polls, out of which 15 are female, and a total of 92 candidates are contesting in Phase -2, out of which two are female, he said.

There are two withdrawals and one rejection in Phase-I, and two withdrawals and two rejections in Phase-2, said the CEO, adding that the nomination paper of NPP candidate Lunkhopao Haokip from Chandel AC was rejected as he was found to be disqualified under Section 9A of the Representation of People Act, 1951.

Also read: Manipur 2022: Understanding the Hill-Valley divide

Cash, liquor, drugs seizure ahead of polls:

In regards to law and order, and confidence building measures, CEO Agrawal said the total seizure has crossed Rs 100 crore, including Rs 84.7 crores worth of drugs/poppy and Rs 1.475 crore in Cash (by Income Tax).

The CEO shared that a total of 286 nakas are operational across the state.

“80.53% of arms (18039) are deposited as against 59.76% in 2017 Assembly Elections. As many as 6,456 persons bound down. IMFL/DIC liquor seizures are on the raise. SST, Police Department, Excise Department and State Tax Department are also on high alert,” said Agrawal.

From the date of announcement of the state election on January 8, a total of 45 FIRs were registered across the state, the CEO shared.

Manipur 2022: 53% crorepati candidates, 21% have criminal cases