Manipur polls: 69 percent voter turnout recorded till 1 pm

A total of 69 percent voter turnout was recorded till 1 p.m. in the first phase of assembly elections in Manipur.

The turnout was recorded to be 43 percent till 11 a.m.

The first phase of polling in Manipur is slated to cover 38 constituencies, for which 1643 polling stations have been set up. 168 candidates are contesting this phase.

Irom Sharmila, who broke her 16-year fast last year and founded a party 'Peoples Resurgence and Justice, cast her vote in booth no. 3/39 of the Khurai Assembly constituency and said she is confident of her party's victory in the elections.

Polling in Kongpal in Imphal East's Khuria area witnessed participation of differently-abled and elderly people.

In the run up to the polls, the political parties focused primarily on the continuing economic blockade in their campaigns.

Polling will end at 5 p.m.

--ANI