Maniur CM N Biren Singh in fray n firth phase of polling Photo : ANIImphal: The first phase of polling for the Manipur election 2022 kickstarted on Monday. The fate of 173 candidates, including 15 females will be sealed today as polling will be conducted across 38 constituencies spread across five districts in the northeastern state. The Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded 38 leaders, while 35 are in the fray from Congress. Interestingly, Janata Dal (United) has also put forward 28 candidates. As per the official figures, 12,09,439 voters including 5,80,607 male, 6,28,657 female and 175 transgender voters are eligible to cast their vote in Manipur polls 2022 Phase-I. The EC has set up 1,721 polling stations to ensure smooth election process.Manipur election 2022 voting: Latest updates8.94 per cent of voter turnout was recorded till 9.30 am in the first phase of Manipur election 2022.Manipur Deputy Chief Minister and NPP candidate from Uripok, Yumnam Joykumar Singh, cast his vote at a polling booth in Naoremthong Upper Primary School in Imphal.Related NewsManipur Election 2022: CM candidates and other key players in the frayPre-poll violence in Manipur: Protest after candidate from JD (U) gets shotYumnam Joykumar Singh votingManipur Governor La Ganesan casts his vote at Tamphasana Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Imphal. “I appeal to all people of Manipur that they should exerciYumnam Joykumar Singhse their franchise because in our country democracy is prevailing and the sign of democracy is the election,” he said after voting.CM and BJP candidate from Heingang, N Biren Singh casts his vote at Shrivan High School in Imphal. After casting his vote, Singh said exuded confidence in 75 per cent of the total electorate in his constituency to vote for BJP and him. BJP is expecting at least 30 out of 38 seats in the first phase…People of Manipur like PM Modi, the CM said.Related NewsManipur Election 2022: First phase polling today, 173 aspirants in fray for 38 seats – DetailsThe first phase of the Assembly election is underway in Manipur. Visuals from Tamphasana Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Imphal.Manipur election 2022 first phaseHere’s the list of key candidates who are in fray for the first phase of Manipur election: CM N Biren Singh is contestibg from Heingang, Speaker Y Khemchand Singh from Singjamei, Dy CM Yumnam Joykumar Singh from Uripok and state Congress chief N Lokesh Singh from Nambol constituency.The voting is taking place in 38 Manipur Assembly constituencies spread across five districts, including Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, and Kangpokpi.In the 2017 Maniour election, BJP had won 21 Assembly segments and had formed the government in alliance with the National People’s Party (NPP), Naga People’s Front (NPF) and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Notably, Congress had emerged as the single largest party winning 28 seats.The BJP is contesting the Manipur election 2022 alone and has fielded its candidates in all 60 seats.The Election Commission has decided to conduct the Manipur Assembly election 2022 in two phases – February 28 and March 5. The Manipur election 2022 results will be announced on March 10.