<p> Polling is underway for the by- elections to four assembly constituencies in Manipur on Saturday amid tight security and strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocol, an Election Commission official said.</p>.<p>More than 1.35 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in 203 polling stations in the by-elections to Lilong and Wangjing-Tentha seats in Thoubal district, Saitu in Kangpokpi and Wangoi in Imphal West, he said.</p>.<p>Voting has commenced from 7 am, the official said.</p>.<p>The electors will decide the fate of 11 candidates in the four seats.</p>.<p>The by-elections were necessitated after Congress MLAs of the four constituencies had resigned from the state Legislative Assembly and also quit the party. They had joined the BJP.</p>.<p>The ruling BJP is contesting in three seats and supporting an independent candidate in Lilong assembly segment, while the opposition Congress is in the fray in all four constituencies.</p>.<p>The Wangoi assembly segment will witness an interesting battle as the National People's Party (NPP), a coalition partner of the BJP-led government in the state, has fielded its candidate against the nominees of the Congress and the saffron camp.</p>.<p>All safety measures are in place as the voting is taking place in the midst of the raging COVID-19, the official said.</p>.<p>"Sanitisation of electronic voting machines, wearing of masks and availability of thermal scanner, gloves and hand sanitiser have been ensured in each polling booth," he said.</p>.<p>The social distancing between two persons is being maintained and a token system has been introduced to limit crowding at the polling stations, he said.</p>.<p>Optional postal ballot facility has been provided for electors above 80 years of age, COVID-19 patients and voters quarantined at different centres, the official said.</p>.<p>Electors with COVID-19 related symptoms will be allowed to vote in the last hour of the poll. All polling personnel have been provided with personal protection equipment (PPE).</p>.<p>Polling will continue till 5 pm, and counting of votes will be conducted on November 10. </p>
<p> Polling is underway for the by- elections to four assembly constituencies in Manipur on Saturday amid tight security and strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocol, an Election Commission official said.</p>.<p>More than 1.35 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in 203 polling stations in the by-elections to Lilong and Wangjing-Tentha seats in Thoubal district, Saitu in Kangpokpi and Wangoi in Imphal West, he said.</p>.<p>Voting has commenced from 7 am, the official said.</p>.<p>The electors will decide the fate of 11 candidates in the four seats.</p>.<p>The by-elections were necessitated after Congress MLAs of the four constituencies had resigned from the state Legislative Assembly and also quit the party. They had joined the BJP.</p>.<p>The ruling BJP is contesting in three seats and supporting an independent candidate in Lilong assembly segment, while the opposition Congress is in the fray in all four constituencies.</p>.<p>The Wangoi assembly segment will witness an interesting battle as the National People's Party (NPP), a coalition partner of the BJP-led government in the state, has fielded its candidate against the nominees of the Congress and the saffron camp.</p>.<p>All safety measures are in place as the voting is taking place in the midst of the raging COVID-19, the official said.</p>.<p>"Sanitisation of electronic voting machines, wearing of masks and availability of thermal scanner, gloves and hand sanitiser have been ensured in each polling booth," he said.</p>.<p>The social distancing between two persons is being maintained and a token system has been introduced to limit crowding at the polling stations, he said.</p>.<p>Optional postal ballot facility has been provided for electors above 80 years of age, COVID-19 patients and voters quarantined at different centres, the official said.</p>.<p>Electors with COVID-19 related symptoms will be allowed to vote in the last hour of the poll. All polling personnel have been provided with personal protection equipment (PPE).</p>.<p>Polling will continue till 5 pm, and counting of votes will be conducted on November 10. </p>