Manipur gears up to conduct local body election

Imphal, Dec 8 : Manipur is gearing up to hold its local body elections scheduled next year.

The State Election Commission has announced that the elections will be held on January 3, 2011 in eight Municipal Councils and 18 Nagar Panchayats.

The last date for filing nomination papers will be December 13.

Voting will be allowed from 0800 hrs to 1600 hrs.

The code of conduct, hence, has come into immediate effect with the announcement of the election notification yesterday.

A total of 279 councillors and 558 members of Ward Development Council will be elected, official sources said.

There are 109 wards in the eight Municipal Councils and 170 wards in the 18 Nagar Panchayats, the sources added.

A total of 2,19,616 voters are expected to exercise their franchise.

There are more women voters in the 366 polling stations.

Meanwhile, the political parties have also asked aspiring candidates to submit their applications.