Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur Ramananda Nongmeikapam on Monday informed that in view of COVID, the Election Commission of India provides the facilities of online nominations also through the Suvidha portal.

An intending candidate may submit the application online and its print may be taken for submitting before the Returning Officer. The candidate may also deposit security money through online mode. However, a candidate will continue to have the option of depositing in cash to the Returning Officer. A candidate can also seek permission for a meeting, door to door campaigns in online mode. Besides, the number of persons to accompany a candidate for submission of the nomination paper is restricted to two. Also, the maximum number of vehicles for the purpose of nomination is restricted to two. Adequate arrangements have been made at the offices of Returning Officers.

The notifications of elections for the First Phase in respect of 38 Assembly Constituencies of 5(five) districts- Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, and Kangpokpi will be issued by the concerned Returning Officers on 1st February 2022. Subsequently, the nomination shall start from 1st February onwards till 8^th February. The scrutiny of nomination papers shall be taken up on 9^th February while the last date for withdrawal of candidature will be 11^th February. Poll for First Phase will take place on 27^th February.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India, in its press note issued on Monday has decided to allow physical public meetings of political parties or contesting candidates in designated open spaces with a maximum of 1000 persons (instead of existing 500 persons) or 50% of the capacity of the ground or the prescribed limit set by SDMA, whichever number is lesser, from February 1 for all phases.

The Commission has also enhanced the limit for door to door campaigns upto 20 persons, excluding security personnel. The Commission has now granted relaxation for the political parties to the extent that indoor meetings of a maximum of 500 persons (instead of existing 300 persons) or 50% of the capacity of the hall or the prescribed limit set by SDMA are allowed.

However, the Commission has continued to impose restrictions on road shows, Pad-yatras, cycle/bike/vehicle rallies and processions till February 11, 2022.

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